TRYBE Tales - Weekly Wellness Edition

Wellness Wisdom Drops

FROM TRYBE

“You’ll never know who you are unless you shed who you pretend to be.” - Veronika Tugaleva

You only come around 1 in a quatribazillion times, so cut the BS and just be you boo boo.

🧠 The Hard Stuff

Making friends is hard, dating is hard, gosh even finding a doctor is hard. And one big reason is the fear of rejection. Of not being accepted and celebrated for who you are. It’s no reason we often put on a really polished first impression version of ourselves - trying to seem like we ALSO love escape rooms just to make easy talk (I’ve been misled so many times here), or trying to impress the first date with flowers (people still do that right!?!) so you can improve the chances of a second date, or pretending you’re a super chill patient but you’ve actually Googled your symptoms and already have your diagnosis.

This fear of rejection is deeply ingrained in our brain's social cognition system. When we perceive a potential threat to our social status or acceptance, the brain's amygdala, responsible for processing emotions like fear, can activate. This activation triggers a "fight or flight" response, causing anxiety and stress. In social contexts, this fear often drives us to present an idealized version of ourselves.

However, research also shows that authenticity in first impressions can lead to more genuine and fulfilling connections. When we are authentic, our brain's reward system, including the release of dopamine, is activated. And dopamine is responsible for allowing you to feel pleasure, satisfaction and motivation - all things you want to feel when you’re finding new friends, lovers or doctors.

🍦 The Soft Stuff

In the intricate dance of building connections, let's embrace the idea that each time we encounter what seems like rejection, whether in friendships, romantic pursuits, or even professional relationships, it's a reminder that we're daring to be authentically ourselves and let me tell you that is a BIG pursuit - one that anyone should feel super bad ass about.

Being true to who we are is an act of courage, a commitment to our own unique journey and a commitment to how bad ass you are. Those who understand that it's not rejection but redirection view each interaction as an opportunity to align with individuals who resonate with their authentic selves. It’s in that perspective shift that makes finding the best connections a much easier experience.

This perspective not only nurtures self-compassion but also cultivates empathy for others. It's a recognition that each person is on their own quest for authenticity, and sometimes, paths cross briefly only to guide us toward more profound connections elsewhere. When we grasp that it's not rejection but perhaps a cosmic recalibration, we open ourselves to a world of new possibilities, allowing serendipity to shape our path toward meaningful and genuine relationships.

 1. Join a Community 🧠

An easy way to build meaningful connections that are authentic to who you are is to put yourself in those situations. You’ll find it easier to potentially connect and build meaningful relationships when you’re in a space surrounded by other passionate folks:
- Love reading? … Join a book club.
- Love being active? … Join a social run club.
- Love the mystical world? … Drop in to a tarot workshop.
- Love Excel? … I have no suggestions, I’m still trying to find my fellow maths lovers so holla if you know the spot.

 2. Post Date/Meeting/Event Audit 🧠🍦

It’s easy to get caught up in meeting new people and building off their energy, to the point we may just go with the wind and accidentally sign up for a sailing lesson even though we’re terrified of the water. Self-reflection is a great step in figuring out more about who you are, when you’re steering off of that and when you’re leaning into that. Next time you go to an event or date or any social interaction reflect afterwards and answer the questions:
- What conversations was I was genuinely excited about?
- What conversations was I not interested in, but went along with anyways? What conversation did I wish we have instead?

It’s a bit basic but it’s a good gut check to realign on moments that aligned, and didn’t align, so you can form a deeper understanding of who you are and what you really like.

3. Body Awareness Exercises 🍦

Engage in body awareness exercises to become more attuned to your physiological responses in social situations. Start by taking a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath. Pay attention to physical sensations like muscle tension, heart rate, and breathing patterns. When you're in social interactions, use these exercises to gauge how your body responds to different people and situations. This heightened awareness can help you make informed decisions about which connections align with yourself and bring you joy.

What's something/a topic I could stand to stop connecting over? What's something/a topic I'd like to connect more over?