PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

There are many types of relationship, but broadly speaking they usually fall into one of four categories: family, friendship, romantic or professional. What’s normal in one type of relationship may seem weird in another. In any relationship, think carefully about what you want out of it, what the other personal wants out of it, and whether you’re comfortable.

Consciously developing and working on relationships is a great way to keep them healthy and strong, but sometimes things don’t work out. It’s important to keep in mind that you’re only one part of a relationship. People change, and so do circumstances. These are often beyond your control, so you shouldn’t blame yourself if a relationship gets tough or you grow apart. Even though you might not be able to help the other person see things differently or make them change, you can control how you interpret what’s going on and how you behave. In other words, stay focussed on the things that you can change and don’t waste time and worry about the things that you can’t.

Good communication and managing other people’s expectations are important in healthy relationships. But when someone stops listening to you, or the dynamic in the relationship starts to sour and make you think “ugh”, it’s time to take swift action. If the relationship makes you unhappy, consider calling it a day. And, if the relationship becomes abusive, tell someone you trust. If it’s anything sexually abusive or illegal, speak to the police on 101, or 999 if it’s an emergency.

4 Signs You Need To Move On

Bad relationships can be the source of stress and anxiety. Here’s what to watch out for:

■ You no longer enjoy someone’s company.

■ You feel like they’re taking advantage of you.

■ You don’t trust them and/or they don’t trust you.

■ They ask you to do things you don’t want to do.

Look Out For Your Neighbour

We all know the phrase ‘charity begins at home’ and it means that a person’s first responsibility should be the needs of their family and friends. So, after those needs are met, who do we look out for next? Well, a good place to start is with those who live closest to us – our neighbours. Remember, ‘community’ is just another word for ‘neighbourhood’. If we all took the time to get to know our neighbours and considered their needs as well as our own, we’d all live in a much happier and safer society. If you aren’t sure who lives next door, here are some tips to get started:

Do introduce yourself – It’s easier when you or they first move in, but it’s never too late to get to know your neighbour.

DON’T assume everything is okay –If you hear a smoke detector, burglar alarm or haven’t seen your neighbour in a few days, check they are okay.

DO offer your help – Maybe you could pick up some shopping for an elderly neighbour or feed the cat when they go on holiday. Over one million older people go more than a month without speaking to anyone, so even just having a conversation could make a big difference to their lives.

DO encourage them to seek help – If you feel they may need professional care or intervention, point them in the direction of local services.

DON’T think that it’s not an appropriate relationship or not your responsibility – Obviously you need to be aware if anything inappropriate develops, but it’s very normal to be friendly with your neighbour even if there is a big age gap, or you come from different backgrounds.

DO report anything suspicious –You can report domestic violence or any criminal activity anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org