Thank you so much @ayrc_1904 , this is such an excellent idea for a Weekly Wellbeing!
I've had times in my life where I've felt really alone and isolated, and @MB95 I can really relate to those feelings of wanting to build a support network, but also being naturally a fairly private person who was scared of getting hurt, finding it hard.
Being vulnerable with other people is one of the hardest things I've learned to do over the last 15 years, but also the most rewarding - it's a slow process, but I can say that it's also the best thing I've ever done. I still have pretty strong boundaries, but I'm more open and honest with people close to me these days.
My main support networks are my friends and family - and right now, a lot of that happens over WhatsApp, because we can't see each other due to covid (well, at least my parents and brother, and other close relatives who are overseas)... we do the occasional "zoom dinner", which is pretty fun!
I'm also so lucky to have some amazing colleagues here at ReachOut- I feel so grateful to get to work in an organisation that's full of genuinely lovely, fun, supportive people 💛
Recently I've also reconnected with a few old friends who now live in my "bubble" and we are able to meet for the occasional socially distanced walk- having one on one time with people who i've known for years, but haven't necessarily been able to spend heaps of time with recently, has been amazing. We wear our masks, and go for little local bushwalks
That's been a breath of fresh air for me in these weird lockdown times, and after some time in nature and chatting with an old friend, I'm usually ready to take on the world again!
Finally, I have my mates who I chat with online - and they're some of my closest friends, even the people who I hardly ever see in real life- and a huge part of my support network
