Mingling with Peers and Finding your Clique

Can’t be a loner forever, or can you? There is a point to interacting and exchanging with others. Or several ones, actually. Burdensome as it may sometimes seem or be.

You get to share experiences and what comes out of them. You gain perspective and expand your horizons. You may split the load and tackle more together. You might even be able to rely on each other and have each other’s backs. You could get support and assistance. Along with understanding, affirmation, and a sense of belonging. Or at least that’s the case when it goes well.

But although we’re all human beings, we have both similarities and differences, and that can get tricky. We may be intrigued and fascinated by what is different, as it leads us to discover and incorporate more. And we may be sticking to what’s similar, as it allows us to simply be without much explanation or justification. And we may be drawn to a bit of both. Alternatively, though, we may instead be repelled by them. To differences because they are disturbing or even disruptive (valid or not), and to similarities because we seek novelty instead of familiarity or do not quite accept and value ourselves and what’s reflected back to us. That and more reasons under or around these.

Whatever may be, it’ll do you wonders to finally click with others. You may find it invigorating or simply reassuring. And while it may not cure everything, it could have an effect on your anxiety and depression, if you suffer from any of those. Because whether we like to admit it or not, and regardless of the extent, we’re meant to have some form of company. And as long as it is for mutual benefit, not much can go wrong that can’t be fixed.

Many of the problems arise when people connect (or, well, “connect”) with others only for shallow and/or egotistical reasons. They don’t care about you as a human being, they care about what you can do for them and their status. And that’s something to watch out for if you’re a genuine person looking for genuine interactions.

If networking is what you’re after, void of any “sentimentality”, then you can very well do that with others who are also after the same. In which case, whether you must be fake polite or rudely blunt to further your agenda is for you to figure out. But don’t bring that nonsense where authentic and solidary relationships are preferred.

Cultures and subcultures change with the years, but they’re generally the same in that they form groups and subgroups. The latter usually displaying what sets them apart, so it is not impossible to notice how relatable they could be to you and whether or not you could identify with them. Always beware of the posers, though!

CREDIT: AI-Generated Examples done on Leonardo.AI