TRYBE Tales - Weekly Wellness Edition

Wellness Wisdom Drops

FROM TRYBE

“Be curious, not judgemental” - Walt Whitman

Labels are for jars, not people.

🧠 The Hard Stuff

Have you ever been surprised by someone the more you got to know them? That beauty queen turns out to be hella funny and actually loves mapping stars on her off time? Or the robotics engineer who turns out to be a killer guitar player and banana bread baker?

Our brains have evolved to quickly categorize and judge others, leading to missed opportunities for deeper connections as we overlook the vast commonalities that bind us together beneath the surface.

This is nothing to feel guilty about, our brains have evolved to quickly categorize and judge others as a survival mechanism. This process is known as cognitive categorization or social categorization. It involves placing people into mental boxes or categories based on observable characteristics such as appearance, clothing, and behavior. This instinctual behavior helped our ancestors make rapid decisions about whether someone posed a threat or could be trusted.

But fast forward to 2023 our brains haven’t quite evolved as fast as the reality of our identities have. The truth is with the openness and advancement of humanity, people are more layered and complex in their identities than ever - just because you like to play sports no longer means you’re a jock. Just because you like to code no longer means you’re a video game junkie.

This complex identity schema that we each hold has made the possibility to connect with others over some shared interest or topic exponential in its potential and YET we are still kinda stuck feeling lonely to some degree.

Perhaps if we stop to recognize and challenge these cognitive biases we hold, we can break free from dismissing people, cutting them short or not taking the time to get to know them. Maybe it’s a major key in helping us build deeper, more meaningful connections (←Also the title of the next DJ Khaled track)

🍦 The Soft Stuff

If you stop to think about it , we really are just molecules and atmosphere - we’re all atoms charged by energy vibrating in our own universe, just waiting to collide with other people’s universe - perhaps for a second, perhaps for awhile and perhaps forever. We’re constantly exchanging energy with those around us.

By recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and embracing the idea that we, too, are part of the collective atmosphere of humanity, it can act as a humbling perspective that reminds us to slow our roll when dismissing potential connections - this goes beyond potential romantic connections as well, this can be taking the time to chat with the person twice your age in the coffee shop, or being curious to ask interesting questions to understand someone who has the complete opposite outlook on if Aliens exist. In any and all interactions, stay curious and stay open, you’ll be surprised what you may learn about yourself, the other human and how your Universes might merge in unexpected ways 🌟

 1. Game time - We’re Not Really Strangers 🧠

Asking deep questions can sometimes feel cringey and out of place - fret not, that’s where the power of GAMES comes in (or does that make it more cringey?!). Check out this great easy game that’s designed to get everyone involved in deeper conversations that go beyond the surface. You can grab a pack and use them for friendships, family, romantic partners and just to hang out. Check it out here: We’re Not Really Strangers.

 2. Get Reading 🧠🍦

There’s a TON of books on this topic, because it’s THAT important to our wellbeing. Here’s a few to get you started if you want to dive deep into some tips:
- Find Your People
- Impact Networks
- Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides
- Missing Each Other
- How to Make Friends and Influence People

3. The 2nd Date Rule 🧠🍦

If it’s hell no, it’s a hell okay maybe! Lots of relationship experts out there suggest unless the first date went terribly wrong, always go for a second date. Often the first date is a bit awkward, people might be stuck on some small chat and their nerves may skew their personality a bit.

The first date is all flash, the second date is a bit more substance. Give it a go next time and see if the connection builds (even if it’s in a friendship or interesting person capacity - humans need the entire spectrum of connection).

What's a label you're sick of holding on to about yourself? Thank it for its service and let it go.