We have all experienced a connection that surprised us. Maybe it was a kind moment with a stranger when you needed a smile or a shared experience with a coworker you didn’t know you had so much in common with. During these moments, both parties are benefiting from the relief and release of human connection, something everyone needs in order to share ideas, vent challenges, and grow. Connection is important to maintain our mental health and can be supported before challenges arise in order to set a healthy foundation.

Think of a time when a successful connection truly altered your mood or way of thinking. What was so exceptional about that interaction? And, most importantly, what was it about that person that made you feel so comfortable and able to connect? Knowing the ways in which we like to be communicated with can help us narrow in on what our natural communication style looks like and how we can utilize it to have effective conversations with those around us, even in times of stress. This knowledge can be a huge asset as we navigate the challenges of life and seek connection in times of need. 

When we face challenges and struggles in our everyday lives, we can find ourselves entering into unsuccessful conversations that leave us feeling regretful or frustrated. The outcome of these conversations can be hazy or just plain negative, further hindering our progress and mental health. This outcome is avoidable, and there are tools we can employ to make out interactions better, even when we are not at our best.

By studying rewarding interactions in our past, discussing our communication style with someone else, and employing the results of those findings we can help lay the groundwork for handling any situation we may encounter, and encouraging successful interactions no matter what our situation may be!

Connection: Impossible

It’s not impossible to have a successful interaction with those around us in times of stress or uncertainty. These times can be when we need connection the most, and knowing how to obtain it can be a huge asset to our overall wellness. 

Thinking back to successful interactions and giving ourselves a framework for building our ultimate communication style is the key to finding our footing when it comes to difficult interactions. Identifying what we like about our past conversation partners can help us identify what about our communication style we enjoy the most and value. It can be easier to replicate these behaviors once we identify in ourselves what exactly they are. 

When speaking with someone who is more forward, for example, it can help to know what about ourselves is more reserved in order to cultivate a conversation we can feel in control of. On the other side of the coin, speaking to someone with a more bombastic personality can feel uncomfortable for someone who is more conservative in nature, but knowing our own preferred style can help establish boundaries with a person of a louder personality and lead to more effective communication that does not feel forced or unproductive. Knowing ourselves and our comfort zones helps us to identify natural pathways of communication that benefit us and everyone around us!

I Have to Go It Alone

Identifying and getting comfortable with the basics of our communication styles means we have more successful tools for acquiring the connections we need in the future. Now that we know a bit more about our communication style, entering into new conversations can feel a bit more stable and curveballs a little less frightening. Taking the information being given to us during our first interactions and processing it alongside our newfound knowledge can help us to deliver information, ideas, and requests with more confidence once we know we are speaking from a place of self-awareness.

Having practice conversations is a valid and helpful tool when it comes to employing our newfound self-awareness. Speaking with someone in a low-stakes environment about the situations you have recently found yourself in and using your knowledge of communication style can give you even more insights into how you verbally navigate the world. 

Some communication styles may be misunderstood from time to time, but knowing our intent can help us to steer conversations in a direction that is still favorable. When situations are strenuous, having that self-assurance that we are communicating to the best of our ability can help alleviate some of the negative feelings that can arise after a tense conversation. When we can have faith that we represented ourselves and our ideas to the best of our ability, we can let go of ruminating thoughts and doubt surrounding the situation. That confidence can be a powerful tool that keeps our mental health safe and secure. 

See? Not So Impossible After All!

Being aware of successful past interactions, having someone to help us identify our communication styles, and utilizing our knowledge to provide even more thoughtful communication are all powerful tools in the pursuit of even deeper and more meaningful connections. Knowing how we best communicate and being able to meet others halfway can help any interaction feel less daunting and unpredictable. Connection is an important part of being well and, with strength in self-understanding, communication can be even more meaningful and successful!