STREETZine
NOVEMBER EDITION 2023
Offering financial opportunity to homeless and economically disadvantaged individuals. STREETZine is a program of The Stewpot and a member of International Network of Street Papers
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Grateful for My Interpersonal Relationships By Wendy Rojo Growing up my grandmother would tell me the greatest gift in life was the people around us. The family that we are given, the friends we choose, and the partner we decide to embark on life with. These relationships are the most important aspect of my life. I am grateful for every interpersonal relationship I have because I learn from each of them. I am grateful for every interpersonal relationship I have because I learn from each of them. Relationships and human interaction are basic necessities of life. For example, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs ranks love and belongingness as third on the pyramid of needs. A person’s need for interpersonal relationships is a crucial part of our human needs. According to Healthline, without strong interpersonal relationships, a person can feel lonely and undervalued. In a time when digital communication and online interactions are encouraged, it can be difficult to maintain those interpersonal relationships. It was especially difficult to maintain these relationships during the pandemic when loneliness and isolation in the United States were already high prior to the pandemic. In fact, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently offered a warning about the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the United States. Dr. Murthy reports that the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country existed way before the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased use of social platforms and the dependence we had on online interactions during the pandemic had a permanent impact on every aspect in our lives. BetterUp described six methods a person can use to build and maintain strong interpersonal
relationships: listen, express openness, communicate often, be respectful, offer empathy, and set boundaries. These methods can be used with primary and secondary interpersonal relationships. Healthline describes secondary interpersonal relationship as acquaintances, neighbors, or others you interact with regularly but may not have an emotional bond with. Regardless, if a relationship is a primary one or secondary one, the need to maintain those relationships is crucial for our self-preservation. Thankfully, creating strong interpersonal relationships does not have a timer or a deadline. We can constantly work on creating these positive-strong relationships Thankfully, creating strong interpersonal relationships does not have a timer or a deadline. We can constantly work on creating these positive-strong relationships.
A workshop that started with just a few writers has grown due to word-of-mouth. Everyone needs a space where they feel safe and welcome to share what is on their mind or share a funny story. One example is The Stewpot’s Writers’ Workshop, where writers get to be creative, but also grow their interpersonal relationships. The community that the workshop has built is amazing to see. A workshop that started with just a few writers has grown due to word-ofmouth. Everyone needs a space where they feel safe and welcome to share what is on their mind or share a funny story. I am grateful to be a part of a community that encourages creativity, kindness, and inclusiveness. Wendy Rojo is managing editor of STREETZine.
David Arnez expresses gratitude. Photo by Jesse Hornbuckle.