The Importance of Connection

Hi everyone! Hope this blog finds you well. This month I took a week off over half term to take my little car up north, to visit four different friends, as well as spend some precious time with my offspring and their lovely partner! Whilst I do really appreciate, value and enjoy time on my own, I decided this year was going to be a year of re-connection with those I’ve not managed to see enough of over the last few years, when things were so difficult with many house moves, job changes and other challenges along the way. Connection is so important for us all to thrive as human beings.

A Fundamental Human Need

We all need social connection – it is really important for our mental and emotional wellbeing. We all like to feel like we belong in our communities, and being with others can help us deal with stress, and guard us against depression and loneliness. Life can be great on our own too, but we all need others support sometimes. It is wonderful to share lovely things with folk who we care about (as well as our difficulties), as we love and support them in return.

Precious loyal friendships, where we are really there for one another, are vital to our wellbeing. Knowing we have folk to turn to can really make a huge difference when it comes to our ability to manage challenges as we go through life. Being there for one another and sharing experiences is so important. It’s not about how many people you have in your life, but those few special ones (that are all-weather friends, and not just fair-weather friends!), are those we should hold close and really appreciate.

Nothing quite beats meeting up with our loved ones in person (especially giving and receiving warm hugs!), but in these busy times, and when some families and friends are sometimes miles (or even countries) apart, being able to stay in touch via social media platforms such as Messenger, Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp etc., can also be useful tools for keeping on top of news, and checking in on those folk we care about on a regular basis.

Building meaningful, authentic relationships and connections with others, allows us to be vulnerable and open. To share our innermost thoughts and fears, which in turn stops us holding our worries inside, which is healthier for us mentally and physically. The body holds on to unresolved emotions and anxieties – but when we share them, we can help ourselves to heal and live healthier, longer lives. Research indicates that positive social connection supports our nervous system, can improve our immune function, and even decrease the risk of chronic diseases.

Being part of a supportive community gives us a safe place to deal with any trauma, navigate through challenging times, and overcome situations where we may feel lonely. There are many support groups available these days if you don’t have many close friends locally. Do reach out if you are feeling isolated or alone. Active engagement with others that may be feeling the same as you, can be a really positive step to happiness. Or maybe you are currently in a really good place, and can offer help to others?

Giving and receiving emotional support to and from others is vital for us. We all need to feel seen and heard, and when we are valued by those closest to us, our hearts are full and happy, and we are able to live our lives feeling appreciated. When we support others we feel good too, so it’s a win-win situation! Knowing when to reach out, and when to be the one to offer support is important though too – we can’t always be both at the same time! Reaching out to different people in your circle is necessary as well sometimes – different friends can be really helpful and supportive in various situations.

Precious times with precious friends are a true gift.

Visiting my Friends and Family this Half-Term

First I headed off to Hornsea, to visit my lovely pals Betty and Jim, their 2 lovely kids, their cute dog and two new kitties! I joined Betty on a lovely dog walk along the beach – sea air has always been medicine to me! It was chilly, but the sky was blue and it was just lovely to have a good natter and a proper catch up. Fab to spend some time with her family too, and to have some rest and relaxation. Their lovely daughter showed me how to do my first bit of needle-felting – that was great fun! Think I’ll need more practice to make anything decent, but it was great to try something new! Their son also shared some music with me that he’d been working on, which was lovely. They looked after me for 2 nights, then it was off to Sheffield!

I stayed the next night with my lovely friend Marian and her hubby in Sheffield, and Marian took me on a beautiful woodland walk during the day. Then their wonderful daughter came to join us for dinner after her day at college, so it was so nice to catch up with her too, and catch up on all the things she is up to. We also did a video call to their lovely son whilst we were all together, so it was great to hear all about how he was doing at university too and his experiences.

Next stop was beautiful Buxton in Derbyshire. I had a couple of hours to explore this lovely town in the morning – I enjoyed visiting here often when I lived in Derbyshire in 2024. I wandered around the pavilion gardens, the conservatory and galleries in the garden, and into the town, where I had a yummy cuppa in a cute little café. Then it was off to visit my dear friend Libby, who has had a very challenging year so far, so it was wonderful to be able to give her a big hug, and spend precious time with her, her lovely hubby and her mum, and her two lovely daughters too, who came over to join us for dinner. They also made us yummy pancakes as it was pancake day! They have two gorgeous dogs and the most adorable little 4 month old ginger kitten who I completely fell in love with – I was very tempted to pop him in my bag and bring him home! It was so good to be able to have a proper catch up with them, and to see how everyone was doing.

Then the following day I popped into Bakewell after leaving Buxton, to meet my wonderful friend Janie for lunch at The Woodyard along the river. It was so lovely to have some decent time to sit and chat and have a proper catch up with her, and find out how her and all the family were doing. Lovely too, to have a yummy lunch cooked for us, and not have to wash up afterwards – what a treat!

Then late afternoon I did the drive up to Leeds, to go and stay with my fantastic kid Greyson, their lovely partner Mags and beautiful little cat Paddy. I always treasure these visits – I miss Greyson so much since they left for university in 2023, so our time together is always really special. Mags is such a wonderful person too, and such a fantastic partner to them. They are both very generous in the way they always keep in contact with me, and still involve me in their lives. They have made such a lovely home together, and I always feel so welcome and comfortable there, and never want to leave! My sister also came up by train to join us the next day, so we all then had two more nights together. We took a trip up to Halifax for a wander round the lovely ‘Piece Hall’ with all its cute shops and restaurants, as it was somewhere they had wanted to visit. Then late afternoon we headed back into Leeds, and went to the ‘Hole in the Wand’ which was a wizardy-themed Crazy Golf! Who needs a kid with you to do something daft?! We had great fun there, with a drink and piece of cake included! Then a couple of drinks in a lovely pub, then home to relax with a takeaway and some board games.