Cultivating Healthy Relationships

At Moments Made Bridal, we understand that few things are as precious and enriching as the relationships we cultivate. Whether it's with a partner, family member, or friend, healthy relationships are the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. They provide us with support, companionship, and joy, while also challenging us to grow and evolve. However, maintaining these connections requires effort, communication, and a commitment to mutual respect. 

During our Galantines event, we had the pleasure of hearing from Mary Crafts and Dr. Julie Hanks. Each of them spoke about different things they have learned throughout their lives and experiences. Mary Crafts gave a great analogy of mending the hole in our own buckets so that as we are filling them up, we have the ability to help fill others’ buckets as well. Loving ourselves first is essential to being able to give the love and care that our partner deserves. The more love we have towards ourselves, the more love that we can give away! This can sometimes seem like a tough task, but it all begins with baby steps. Maybe treat yourself to a self care day, or buy that one item you’ve had your eye on. You don’t have to start out with these grand gestures - just small things that build  up your confidence!

Dr. Julie Hanks gave 7 tips for strengthening your friendships because everyone should have a friend that they can count on! Tip #1: Protect her (or his) name! If you hear about anything being said about them, make sure to stand up for them just as you would want them to do for you. Tip #2: Attend to the details! Ask them how their day is going, how it's going with the person they are seeing, how their test went, etc. Remember the little details - it makes all the difference! Tip #3: Be inspired by other people’s strengths instead of feeling threatened. Not everything has to be a competition! Be confident in yourself and know that everyone has different strengths. Use these strengths to uplift those around you and inspire you! Tip #4: Lean into the awkwardness! It’s okay for things to get awkward sometimes! It’s completely normal and should be embraced. Learning to accept the awkward will help you know how to navigate those types of situations later down the road. Tip #5: Diversify your friendships. Put yourself in a situation where you can meet new people and develop long lasting friendships. It’s okay to have different friends in different situations! It’s important to have a variety of people that you can turn toward. Tip #6: Quality over quantity. Now I know the last tip just said to diversify your friendships, but also realize that the types of friendships and relationships you build are important. You want to create friendships that will withstand the test of time and ones that you can help you through thick and thin. The last tip, Tip #7: Schedule regular connection time! Make time for the ones you love! How else are you supposed to strengthen your friendships if you’re not spending regular time with them? Life can get busy, I know, but it's so important to take the time to connect with your friends and develop a strong bond. 

To conclude, healthy relationships are a source of profound joy, fulfillment, and support in our lives. By prioritizing Dr. Julie Hanks and Mary Craft’s words, we can cultivate and sustain meaningful connections that enrich our lives immeasurably. Let us cherish and nurture the precious relationships in our lives, for they are truly the essence of what it means to be human.