Friends? How many of us have them?

How many times have you heard ‘check on your friends’ during the pandemic? It is one of those things that professionals say often. And we sometimes think that we are doing it. But what does it really mean? We all go though things and we manage to get through it without disclosure. Or you have the friends who are open books and tell every blessed feeling they have. Who are you in this picture? Who is checking on you? Who are you being honest about your feelings?

Mental health awareness is a thing. But it is two-fold. It includes checking on others and sometimes identifying their needs. The harder part is, however, self identifying your own issues. The pandemic years posed it’s own set of challenges from isolation to poverty. There were loss of jobs, loss of physical connections, and devastatingly loss of lives of people close to us.

It has been over 2 years and we are starting to come out of the isolation of the pandemic but we still have to deal with the mental remnants. There used to be a time, pre-Covid, when there was no hesitation to go out and join your friends for dinner, a concert, or a trip to the beach. Now many of us weigh the consequences of being that physically close to people before we accept or extend an invitation. And when that overwhelms you the isolation can become debilitating. On the other side you may be comfortable staying in and choosing to be in less crowded atmospheres. But when you turn down invitations to mingle with friends how does that make them feel? Especially if it is a long term relationship.

When you have a friend who is not responding positively to your invitations how do you handle it? Speaking from the point of view as the friend you may want to take some time and delve into the day to day of your friend. Ask questions what is new, what have you been eating, are you getting any exercise? Try to get a sense of how different their lives has been. Especially if the person has had a major change like loss of income or loss of a loved one. Both of those things have an extreme impact on a person’s mental health.

So what to do? I am no therapist in any way shape or form but sometimes friends are the best for restoring your soul. As a friend being able to recognize when someone close to you is in distress is key. I can fake happy with the best of them, but I noticed that given enough time I will begin to divulge some of my struggles. But is anyone listening? This is why spending time with friends is so important. Being able to let your guard down is a step to mental health awareness. Speaking your truth can be freeing. Allowing your close circle to know your struggles can unlock your path to healing. Be that friend.

Stay in touch!

Yes we rodeo big in the North!