Ramadan and Eid are usually associated with reconnecting with friends and family. And while many of us are more “connected” than ever, we all feel disconnected and distanced from the things that matter or help us move forward and grow in our lives. We go through the motions, we like our friends’ photos and leave encouraging comments, but when was the last time you had a really engaging conversation with someone that left you feeling energized instead of drained?
Even before the pandemic, relationships and interests were becoming shallower and less meaningful. It’s time to make a change, and Ramadan is the perfect opportunity to do this. We’ve seen many companies jumping on board the mindfulness train by offering Ramadan advent calendars, and while we won’t ask you to make a month-long commitment, we invite you to set aside a weekend (or all of them) to reconnect at a deeper level.
YOURSELF
“You can’t pour from an empty cup” is a phrase that you’ve probably heard many times because it resonates with everyone. If you are feeling disconnected from your own sense of self and identity, it is going to be difficult to bond with other people. How are you really feeling? Check in with yourself honestly. Do you need to take care of any immediate health issues? Are you making sure that you have enough space to process and deal with life? What do you care about? What do you enjoy doing? Is there a hobby you’ve always wanted to try? Do you need to work out? You might realize that you need to ask for help, add a workout to your weekend or find a more energizing playlist that will help you move closer to the person you want to be.
OTHERS
It is easy to assume that you are connecting with your friends because you are regularly seeing their content on social media. Staying in touch and knowing what people are up to is very different from actually spending quality time with someone. The good news is that you can still connect with people on a deeper level digitally, but you need to be intentional about it. Whether you choose to type out a long email or make time for a 20-minute FaceTime call and genuinely listen to your friend and ask questions, it is about the content, the topics and the care you can offer.
COMMUNITY
For most of human history, we needed to be part of a community to survive. Our need for support from and being of service to others is ingrained in us. Sometimes the easiest way to feel part of a thing that is bigger than us is to seek out large groups that we can belong to, whether by volunteering for a charitable cause that is dear to your heart or joining a club. The best friendships grow out of common values and interests, and by being mindful about practicing the act of giving back you might end up getting more than you ever thought you would.
If you want to connect with us, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a DM on @bazaargram on Instagram. Photo by Adam Solomon on Unsplash.
