Conversare – about good connecting and associated benefits from doing this whatever your current circumstances

How do you feel about your ability to communicate well with the people around you, your family, friends, colleagues, neighbours?

Would you like to meet socially with others from different occupations and backgrounds?

Does doing these come naturally? Or do you lack confidence, maybe from problems in the past? And perhaps wonder how your life could be better if you were able to relate to others more easily?

If so you are not alone. For there is plenty of evidence that many people feel like this. And that much of the experience of depression, isolation and of loneliness stem from people’s lack of action in taking the initiative to make connection with others.

This is not surprising given that our lives may be occupied by commitments which direct our attention elsewhere.  Or that we have got out of the practice of keeping in good contact with people who have been close to us in the past. And of making new friends.

Recent research indicates clearly that what is needed in these circumstances is what is called social cure. By this is meant that we take the initiative in stepping out and joining in activities which may interest us. Which, by doing this, may change us in positive ways.

Here are some ideas on how to ‘step out’.  Do you feel that your future could be brighter and more interesting if you take this kind of action?

Ten social identity tips for better health

1. If you feel socially isolated try to join a group.
2. If you can, join more groups.
3. Try to hold on to positive group memberships, especially if you are going through a challenging time.
4. If you lose membership in an important group, seek out a new one.
5. Invest in groups that are important to you and in groups by which you are valued.
6. Be wary of groups that make unhealthy choices.
7. Get support from your groups, but also give support to others in your groups.
8. Recognise that it can sometimes be healthy to try to leave disadvantaged and stigmatised groups, while at other times it can also be healthy to stay.
9. Challenge the stigma and disadvantage that produce health inequality.
10. If you experience health problems seek professional help — ideally from a source with which you identify.

Another way of ‘stepping out’ is to participate in a new kind of social event  called Conversare. These are gatherings in which anyone is welcome to come along. For a starting point is ‘Whovever comes is the right people’.

In these events the essence is to converse over a meal with somebody not previously met. To share each other’s backgrounds and interests. While they are not specifically designed to make friends, this does happen. And if you later ‘bump into’ to anyone who was present at the same event as yours you will have a nice connection.

For what Conversare is and what happens see here. And for feedback.

These are currently only held in the Adelaide Central Market. (On weekday evenings and will likely resume once the weather is warmer).

But they could easily be arranged in other parts of our little planet …

For the process is not difficult to set up. People with skills as a facilitator could readily do this. And this kind of event could be held in many different types of  public premises such as cafes, hotels, community centres, church halls …

 

Another way of making a start in the adventure of meeting new people and developing  your skills for doing this is to have a look at the Kindle version of my book.

Time to converse – at the heart of human warmth.

 Readers’ comments:

 With its central idea being  “Whenever we treat each other well good things happen.”

 And with many instances and stories of what treating each other with friendliness and openness looks like.

 

How does these ideas on being more confident and adventurous in how you relate to others appeal  to you?   

 Looking forward.

Go well

 

Al  

Al (formerly Alan) Stewart, PhD
Social Artist/Professional Conversationalist
Facilitator of conversations that matter and participatory fun
Blog:  www.conversare.net
Web:  Multimind Solutions

“Whenever we treat each other well good things happen.”
Al Stewart