Reaching out to check in on friends often seems superfluous. If they need you, they’ll reach out, right? But sometimes, they don’t know quite what to say. Sometimes, they’re just waiting for you to find them.
The end of December is a grind. Midterm-esque assessments appear on the calendar, performing groups work through countless holiday gigs, winter athletes adjust to new schedules, and seniors face down early college decisions. Winter continues with long, gloomy days, challenging semester exams, and new classes in February.
As a community, we often stress the importance of vulnerability and, in conjunction, support. Our Reflection series and Peer Counseling program encourage us to share ourselves and listen with care as others share themselves.
Chances are someone needs to know you’re there for them.
It’s easy to retreat into yourself as you manage stress, and it can be hard to share the things that are weighing you down. And so support becomes not about listening to your friend in need, but finding out if he is in need at all. It becomes about initiating.
Chances are someone needs to know you’re there for them. Chances are someone doesn’t know how to come to you. So reach out.
