Close friends, close family, and your significant other - everyone is supposed to be there for you no matter what ("for better or for worse"), but that's not always the case. Maybe you had a person who you considered your best and most important friend, but suddenly disappeared when things got worse.
No calls, texts or other contact, leaving you alone to deal with your difficult situations. On the other hand, there was someone you only recently met through mutual friends who offered you not only a shoulder to lean on, but also practical help. After the situation calms down, who would you like to continue the relationship with?
Empathy and social closeness
Proximity and social connectedness are essential to well-being and mental health, which depend on a shared understanding of others' internal states. The more people learn about each other, the closer they feel.
Empathy, in this process, is the bond that holds relationships and societies together. What can further promote empathy is seeing another person in pain or suffering.
Thinking about the person who showed so much support and care (as opposed to the person who didn't), it's clear that they felt compassion for your plight. Not only was he genuinely interested in what you were going through, but he also seemed to know, without needing to explain, how difficult it all was.
This is exactly the person you want to continue the relationship with, even when your life returns to normal and their help is no longer "needed."
Social closeness and compassion are truly the foundations of a lasting relationship. When someone takes the time to understand and experience your emotions, a bond is created that is stronger than that between people who remain superficial or somewhat distant. If you are able to identify people who show you genuine support, keep them close.
To maintain this rapport, it is important to have understanding as a key element in your relationship. Take care of those who have stood by you in difficult times and try to do the same for them.
Empathy and mutual support create a strong foundation for relationships that can see you through life's various challenges. This means being there not only for the happy moments, but also for the difficult ones, ensuring that your relationship is strong and stable in any situation.
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