Article 2- April 2025
Relationship = Connection
The Many Ways to Connect with People to Form Relationships
by Kirstianna Guerrero, KYEA Program Coordinator
I believe there is something to learn from every person I meet. I get excited every time there is an opportunity to experience a consistent connection with someone… all the ways that it will enrich my life.
There are many different ways to meet and get to know people. Having different types of relationships strengthens you in different ways. Through it all, you grow in your perspective, empathy, and understanding of yourself, others, and the world around us. Building relationships is the first step in creating a support system. Finding the people who love you unconditionally and are always there for you.
There are relationships we build based on seeing someone regularly in a shared space. Like when you meet people at work, at church, on the bus, or at the coffee shop. One of the coolest factors of building relationships in this way is that you often meet people who have different interests, experiences, and challenges than you do… people that you otherwise may have never met or connected with. By interacting with them, and beginning to catch up and chat over time, you will discover perspectives you may have never heard, all while feeling more comfortable and connected in the spaces you share. Becoming acquaintances is the first step, where you learn their name and often chat about related things when you see each other, like what they’re up to or where they’re going. Becoming friends means they start to play a bigger role in your life, even if it is still only in those places. You share things about your life outside of related items and often listen for their point of view.
There are relationships where we build on shared experiences and identities, having someone who understands what you’re going through with whom you can break down and process things. For example, I’m so thankful I have friends who share some of my disabilities so that I can vent to someone about my struggles and rejoice about my victories. In both situations, they can share their experiences with me, strengthening both of us.
There are relationships based on shared interests, like watching a sport, playing a sport, watching the same shows, playing an instrument, reading books, crocheting, and so many more. Whether it starts online or in person, these are relationships that you can feel the “click” of connection from the start since you both have interests in the same thing. Conversations start based on related things. Sometimes it will grow into a further friendship where you share more, and sometimes you will just check in and connect on those specific things.
Often the thought of needing to make these connections can feel daunting and confusing, but the first step to any relationship is meeting and making the choice of saying “hi.”