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- Why You Need Relationships
Why You Need Relationships
How to Nurture Relationships to Thrive
Hello 4,885 friends, it’s Zac here!
It has been a while since you have heard from me. For various reasons, not least of which being that this venture is all completely new to me! Finding the rhythms between myself and Michael, along with finding the rhythm of my own creativity, has not been as straightforward as we all would have liked.
Although I have written a lot over the last few months, it has never felt good enough to put in the newsletter and hit send on a Saturday morning for you to read. Hopefully today will be different!
But before we start, we’re swiftly approaching 5,000 subscribers to this newsletter! To celebrate, we’re going to do a giveaway!
🎁 What should we give away? |
Thanks for voting. Now let’s get WISER together!

“Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.” - Michael J. Fox
I want to look at the profound significance of family (blood or chosen) and relationships in our daily lives.
As social beings, connections with our loved ones play a pivotal role in our overall well-being and personal growth. Through the bonds we forge and nurture, we can cultivate a sense of belonging, support, and love that empowers us to thrive.
So what impact can this have on our lives?
👂 The Power of Connection
Human beings are inherently social creatures, wired to seek connection and build relationships.
Studies have consistently shown that strong family and social ties have a remarkable influence on our mental and emotional well-being.
Research by Holt-Lunstad et al. (2015) reveals that social connection is linked to a reduced risk of mortality, enhanced psychological resilience, and improved overall health outcomes.
Our relationships are a support network during the ups and downs of life, providing comfort, guidance, and a sense of purpose.
🫂 Emotional Support and Belonging
Within the embrace of family and close relationships, we find solace and emotional support.
Sharing our joys and sorrows with loved ones fosters empathy and understanding, enriching our lives. Close family ties have been found to enhance emotional resilience, diminish stress levels, and bolster self-esteem.
Research by Baumeister and Leary (1995) showed us that a sense of belongingness and social connection is a fundamental human need, for psychological well-being and personal growth.
⌛️ Personal Growth and Learning
Family and relationships provide a fertile ground for personal growth and learning.
Through the give-and-take dynamics of these connections, we acquire valuable life lessons, expand our perspectives, and gain insight into ourselves.
Our loved ones challenge us, encourage us, and offer constructive feedback, propelling us towards self-improvement.
As American psychologist Erik Erikson highlighted, our interactions with others contribute significantly to the development of our identity and personal growth.

Personal Growth: On Your Own vs In Community
⌛️ Shared Experiences and Meaning
The fabric of our lives is woven with shared experiences, memories, and traditions.
It is within the framework of family and relationships that we create enduring memories and find a deeper sense of meaning.
Celebrations, gatherings, and rituals strengthen the bonds we share, offering a sense of continuity and connection to our past and future.
Research by Fiese and Kline (2005) reveals that the shared mealtimes and conversations within families contribute to children's emotional well-being, academic success, and overall social competence.
⌛️ The Circle of Support
Family and relationships form a circle of support that sustains us during life's trials and tribulations.
They provide us with a safe space to seek advice, guidance, and unconditional love.
The importance of this support network is magnified during times of crisis, as highlighted by the Harvard Study of Adult Development, a long-term study on adult development and happiness.
The research demonstrates that close relationships are the primary determinant of overall life satisfaction and long-term well-being.
So let us reflect on the bonds of family and relationships. Nurturing these connections, investing time and effort into our loved ones, and cherishing the moments we share are vital ingredients to thrive.
"The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege."
- Charles Kuralt
✍️ Journal Prompts
• Can you identify those relationships to you that help make you thrive?
• Can you identify the relationships where you help others to thrive?
• Where are you letting relationships fall by the wayside?
• What could you do to improve your relationships?
Consider journaling through the above questions yourself.
👍 Recommendations
Here’s a couple of things that we think will compliment this week’s newsletter and will help you to get wiser:
1️⃣ The first recommendation is a TEDx Talk that you need to watch.
Dr. Mark Holder shares 3 words that will change your life by enhancing your relationships.
You won’t want to miss it. Watch it here:
2️⃣ Our second recommendation for this week isn’t a product - it’s an encouragement.
There is at least one person in your life that needs a friend right now. Be that person for them.
Consider spending time over the next week to connect with that person, listen to what they are struggling with and invite them to tell you more about it.
* Please note that these may be affiliation links. Purchasing through these links could support Wisdom Made Easy encourage more people to get wiser.
✍️ What We’re Working On
Thank you all for your response to the poll in last week’s newsletter!
If you said that you’d like to write an issue of the WISER Newsletter, you will receive an email this week inviting you to share more about what wise principle you want to write about.
In other news, we’re still working away on a number of things:
• Our first physical product
• The next Wise Guide
• The 10 Cs of Content Creation digital resource
• YouTube/Podcast content
• Client commissions
But don’t worry - you’ll be the first to hear about them here in this newsletter!
🤔 What did you think of this week’s newsletter?👇 Your feedback helps us to create the best newsletter possible. |
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😊 Thank You!
Thanks for checking out this issue of the WISER Newsletter. If you have any feedback, we would love to hear it!
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Catch you in the next issue!
Thanks,
Michael and Zac!
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