- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SMALL
OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE NEW
FRIENDS
The main goal of this tip is to break your habit of chatting
only with your usual suspects. Start branching out by simply
being more present and taking advantage of small opportuni-
ties to build a connection. It isn’t necessary to dig deep into
personal lives to begin lasting friendships; superfi cial conver-
sation starters are often all you need to begin a meaningful
dialog. One easy way is to open with encouragement or a
compliment; try to notice something positive and start there.
Another way is to ask a personal yet appropriate question. If
that goes well, you can go ahead and add your new friend to
your regular text group.
- START COMMENTING
Challenge yourself to comment on posts instead of just
liking them; any type of interaction counts that isn’t just a
click or a double tap! I’m not against sending a few emojis to
convey how I feel, but sending an actual comment, no matter
how brief, demonstrates that you are a real person behind the
screen.
- GET PERSONAL: USE FIRST
NAMES
Using fi rst names is a powerful tool. It’s rare that anyone
refers to me by my name anymore unless I’m in a doctor’s
waiting room or a formal conversation. When you use some-
one’s name, it demonstrates that you are on a personal level
with them, which will hold their attention longer. So, next
time you tag someone in a post or send a direct message,
use their actual name, not their user name, to personalize the
interaction.
- REMEMBER TO FOLLOW UP
Following up with friends may require extra effort, but it’s
worth it. Try this out the next time your friend has a signifi cant
event in their life, such as the date they celebrated an anni-
versary, lost a loved one or had a miscarriage, or scheduled a
test or an interview. Stop what you are doing and, in that mo-
ment, set a calendar reminder on your phone. When that day
comes, send a personalized message saying you know this
day was important to them and that you are thinking of them.
It will make a huge impact on their life to feel like their event
was so important to you that you took time out of your busy
schedule not only to remember something about them but to
reach out. It’s an extremely validating experience to have oth-
ers remember details from your personal life. Likewise, the
next time someone comes to your mind that might be having
a hard time, don’t push those feelings away. Just reaching out
can absolutely change someone’s entire day.
- SEND AN EASY GIFT
Okay, I know this one sounds challenging and time con-
suming, but it can be so easy! Bright Box (brightboxes.shop)
offers an easy, affordable way to brighten someone’s day.
And let’s be real, who doesn’t love happy mail? Bright Box
offers gifts at three price points ($5, $10, and $15) and always
includes free shipping! The site abounds with cute, thoughtful
little gifts for both men and women; there is genuinely some-
thing there that would brighten just about anyone’s day.- BE REAL
Social media is glutted with curated content right now;
what we could all use more of is authenticity in our posts.
Help others see that you are approachable by having an hon-
est presence that shows a little bit of real life or behind the
scenes. In the next photo you take of your kids, try not to
fi nd the cleanest corner of your house to snap the pic; after
all, they probably made the mess! Or, next time you are in a
group for a photo, try not to suck in your stomach or strike
that perfect pose; just be yourself! Being honest and true to
yourself is the best gift you can give to others.GIVE THESE A TRY!
The best part of social media use is that it’s quick and easy;
each and every one of us can use at least one of these tips to
help deepen our relationships. You can try all of these sugges-
tions from the comfort of your own phone, so, no matter how
shy or busy you are, you can squeeze in a little bit more kind-
ness and positivity into your everyday social media use. It will
not only spread your good intentions to others but brighten
your day as well. ѶBriana Dicks is the proud mother of two fi ery little girls. She is an advocate for
happiness, reading, healthy living, and truth-telling.MASTER YOUR IPHONE
BECOME AN INSIDER
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