Beyond the Screen: Cultivating Genuine Relationships in a Digital World

In this digital age today, things have become much easier. In those days, relationships were only formed through physical interaction. People had to travel miles just to create that longing between them and their partners, and though it was difficult, individuals still thrived on it. But today, the world of technology has taken it to another level that feels much better and more advantageous for us, and we don't have to travel as far just to meet people.

Through social media, we connect and interact, thereby making genuine friends. Also, this same social media can bring downfall to our lives when we aren't careful because a lot of things are staged to make us believe they are real. Social media will only reveal one side of a story, while we are left to assume the rest, sometimes falling into traps.

Thanks to the digital world, I have been able to connect with lovely people, talking and sharing various things about our lives. Most people have found their soulmates online, and while some have been deceived into believing only the good side, others have been fortunate enough to find happiness, making one question if they are truly unlucky in finding the right person.

One thing that has kept me going in maintaining healthy relationships is communication [via texts, audio or video], not just communicating about irrelevant things but doing so with intentionality and maturity. A good relationship thrives on effective communication. As individuals, there are things we may not need to say, but finding the right words for each conversation is crucial. For example, we don't need to be rude or harsh in expressing ourselves, but rather find the right way to communicate our minds, feelings, and thoughts without making ourselves feel bad either.

I make it a priority to show up consistently with those I communicate with, ensuring that our discussions remain meaningful without straying into each other's personal lives without permission.

Another way to maintain healthy relationships is by setting boundaries. There are things I choose to share with others while keeping certain matters to myself. Not everyone deserves to know everything about you, especially private matters that should be kept secret. I have learned to establish such boundaries while still maintaining my interaction with people.

Also, when you give people too much freedom, they tend to use it against you or even treat you rudely, which is something I always avoid. Once I notice such behavior in someone, I immediately take a step back or, better still, limit my interaction with them until the gap is finally closed.

How about active listening? I love taking time to listen to others in the online space, especially those who seek my help with trivial matters. I consider everyone equal and tend to treat them with kindness. We all have our differences, and understanding someone from their perspective helps us grow and learn better. Being open to listening without judgment, rather than making assumptions, is key.

Lastly, I avoid misunderstandings. If there's something I actively pursue, it's peace. I understand that sometimes, we might not see eye to eye, which is natural in relationships. But the ability to settle disputes makes us value the relationship more. That means we don't take such a relationship for granted but find common ground to keep it steady and maintain unity.

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