Tips and Tricks to Maintain Permanent Connections

Adjusting to life after care, balancing responsibilities, and finding time to keep in touch with people can be difficult. However, it’s important to carve out time to nurture these connections to keep a healthy balance of socialization and support. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you maintain these connections. 

• Establish your connections: Mapping your network can help you keep track of important relationships, making it easier to maintain permanent connections.

  • Start thinking about what connections you have or that you’d like to form in the future. Create a visual guide for yourself to keep these connections organized.  A Connectedness Map is a great tool to utilize in this process! Check out YIP’s blog post, "How to Use a Connectedness Map".
     

• Start small: Taking small steps to maintain your connections sets the groundwork for you to build supportive and meaningful relationships over time. 

  • Set aside time to keep in touch: At times adulthood can feel fast-paced and busy. Many people are on the go, making it challenging to find the time to connect. A great way to keep in contact is to check-in. You can check in via text, phone call, email, or anything you’re comfortable with. This small step shows the people you care about that you’re thinking of them even if you haven’t connected in person.
     

• Consider the support you can give and receive: Think about who you’d turn to when challenges come up or when you’re struggling. 

  • It can be difficult to ask for help when you’re going through something challenging but it’s important to reach out for support when you need it. Reach out during tough times and lean on those in your network for support.
  • Also, when someone reaches out asking for help, consider the support you’re able to give, but make sure you’re respecting your personal boundaries and practicing self-care in the process.
     

• Don’t be afraid to grow your network of support.

  • Making new connections is the perfect way to start forming permanent connections! Joining a club, hobby group, or local sports team is a great way to meet others who share similar interests, values, and ideas. Taking part in these groups may foster a sense of belonging and help you form deeper and meaningful connections in the future.
  • Utilize social media. Social platforms can provide a platform to connect with people who share similar interests, values, thoughts, and ideas. However, be careful when sharing personal information and meeting up with people you connect with online. If you do meet up in person, try to meet in a public space where others are around to ensure your safety.
     

• Invite people to activities you already have planned.

  • Finding time to make plans with people in your network can be tough when you’re balancing responsibilities. Inviting people to join you in activities that you already have planned is a great way to connect while honoring your schedule. For example, you might carve out time daily to jog, go to the library, or grab a coffee. You can invite a friend to run, read, or enjoy a beverage while catching up.

• Strengthen your connections. Forming deeper and more meaningful connections with people in your network helps maintain your relationships over time.

  • Take the time to actively listen. 
  • Try to understand things from their perspective.
  • Be yourself! Part of maintaining connections is to show up as you are and accept others for who they are. 
  • Recognize that your relationships may change over time. Healthy relationships give room for growth.
  • Celebrate each other's successes, support each other's goals, and be honest with each other. 
  • Address any conflict or negative emotions that arise. Part of maintaining connections is being able to keep an open and honest dialogue between yourself and the person you care about, while still honoring your boundaries. This may be challenging but it’s important to approach these difficult conversations. 

Resources: 

• Ways to Improve Social Connectedness
• Simple Ways to Keep Your Network From Growing Cold
• How to Build and Maintain Healthy Relationships
• Active Listening

About the Author
Kat works in healthcare and advocacy. As a former youth with lived experience, one of her biggest goals is to uplift youth voices within the child welfare system and influence policy to reflect better outcomes for youth in care. Her passions surround everything related to the art of storytelling.