As kids we forge strong bonds. We have the time to stay connected with our buddies during school, play dates, and weekend activities. There wasn’t really any stress. Back in the day we stayed connected via phone calls till the wee hours, notes passed in class, sharing snacks at the lunch table, after school sports and school dances. We were the center of our own universe, our friends the revolving planets.

But times have changed.

It’s not so easy anymore. And no matter how much easier social media may make it seem to “connect” with family and friends, our connections start to feel less genuine, or less interesting, or less deep.

So often life is thoroughly consumed with the actions of work, motherhood and home. We become so busy, distracted and stressed that there’s no time to truly talk with our loved ones. Perhaps we’re even too exhausted to talk at all. And I have to tell you, my life is pretty boring on the whole. There’s not a lot of new and exciting going on.

“What’s new with you?” and “same old same old” doesn’t make for stimulating conversation, and when we don’t connect, we feel less connected.

When we’re feeling low and depressed, as I’ve talked about before, that pull to withdraw makes things worse, even with those living in our own home.

I start to feel like I’m not only losing my connections, but that they don’t even get me anymore. If I know they’re not in the same place emotionally, it’s hard to talk at all and I might just start crying anyway so why even bother?

But losing the security of the relationships that are most important to my happiness is only going to bring me down even further. So today on this 8th day of 30 Days of Positive Affirmations, I am focusing on them.

Affirmation #8

I will repeat this to myself over and over. Not only will it remind me that it’s important to do whatever I can to reach out and connect with those I love, but it’s also putting my positive energy out into the universe, with the hope of making it come true.

My relationships are becoming STRONGER and more secure each day.

Here’s my challenge to you today. Think of one person you love who you haven’t spoken to in a while. Reach out. It doesn’t have to be by phone or in person, but it does have to be personal. Not a comment on their Facebook post but a private message, text or email to just this person and make sure they know how much you care.