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Writer's pictureValerie Clay

The Importance of Relationships

Nowadays people don't want to talk face-to-face. Social media has taken over how the world relates to one another.


We no longer want to hang out. We talk through video or text.



I don't understand why people want to have long conversations in a text.


You can't pick up on the tone of voice or true intentions.


I don't get it, really. It's impersonal.


What people call "connected" is disconnected.


Relationships are being put on the back burner because people don't want to hang out anymore.


After the pandemic, people have become hermits and don't want to leave their houses.


They're ordering groceries and whatever they need online.


They're getting door dash instead of going in person to eat at a restaurant.


Relationships and personal connections are being forgotten. What will this do to our society as a whole?


I grew up in an age where most of us didn't have cell phones or social media. I have no doubt we were happier that way.


Social media causes anxiety, jealousy, and unrealistic views.


It's a huge distraction from real life and keeps people from being productive.


“Friends are people who hang out with you in person. Acquaintences are people who see your profile picture.”
-Valerie Clay

I never thought I would see so many things change during my lifetime. This world is almost foreign to me now.


Call me an old fuddy duddy if you want but I see myself as a captainess, trying to steer people back in the right direction.


Why do I care about this?


Because suicide peaked in 2018 at 14.2%!


800,000 people a year now commit suicide. It is the second leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults.


Yet, we sit idly by and do nothing. We ignore.


There are hurting people out there who need our friendship and guidance. Young adults need to know we care about them.


Love needs to be shown and not just on social media with cute little hearts and hug emojis.


We need to see them and talk to them in person, even if they don't like the idea of hanging out.



Why People Commit Suicide


Thinking back to when I was a teen, I remember my hormones going crazy and my emotions flailing all over the place.


I felt controlled or like I was out of control.


Alien zombies had taken over my body and I was suddenly a spaz! Wait, do they use that word anymore? 🤔


Anyway, no one explained to me that all of these mixed emotions were normal. I didn't know how to feel and I felt crazy. Looking back, I can see how this can make teens feel alone or insecure.


1. Depression-


Loneliness and insecurity can make someone feel like they have no hope.


Depression is a leading cause of suicide.


Right around the age of 15, attempting to commit suicide was almost a fad in our school.


Many of them weren't serious about it, of course. But they seemed to think it was cool to "try it."


Suicide isn't impressive, in case you don't know that!


2. Accidental-


I remember several teenagers who half-heartedly tried it just to see what it would feel like. As though it was some sort of game.


I realized how serious it was when I had a friend end up in the ER after cutting her wrist. Months later she was put in the psych ward because she took a bottle of pills.


One girl was out of school for a few days. When she came back her wrists were wrapped in bandages. It was so prevalent that we went on with life as though it was normal.


3. Emotional or Mental Issues-


Nowadays kids do it because they think it gives them a high.


They accidentally commit suicide while trying to choke or hang themselves.


It is now a weird new sexual fad that is causing accidental suicides more than is talked about.


I was confused as a kid but I never tried suicide. I learned at a young age that hell is real and I didn't want to end up there.


I've often wondered if the suicidal kids were told about hell.


Were they taken to church? Did they know their families loved them? Were they abused?


And beyond that, I've wondered did they have anyone showing them friendship.



Friendship is very important and can make a difference in a life-or-death situation.


Knowing you're loved can help you make better decisions.


A true friendship (not a social media façade) can help you overcome negative feelings.


One of the things that made a difference in my circumstances as a teen, was having a friend.


I had a best friend.


She encouraged me to not use curse words.


She would feed me food off of her plate when I was too depressed to get my own lunch.


She would spend the night and talk with me about my childhood abuse.


She related to me and understood me.


Her friendship gave me purpose. I guess that's why now more than 30 years later we are still friends.


I've tried to keep the relationship together because she was my friend first. She first loved me, sound familiar?


The God-kind of love heals.


There are many other reasons why people commit suicide or attempt it.


The list would include being impulsive, being embarrassed about a mistake they've made, grief, and the list could go on and on.


Having a friend can help you through life's difficulties.


It is important to be someone's friend.


I want to encourage you today to reach out to people and check on them.


Buy their lunch. Go ice skating. Do something outside of the house together.


If you feel you don't have a friend you can confide in and you're feeling at your wit's end, call the suicide hotline at 988 and tell them how you're feeling.


Message me here and I will talk with you. Don't be afraid to reach out!








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