Dear questioner,
My name is Liu, and I'm a listening coach.
From your statement, I see a girl who is enthusiastic, sincere, and eager to make friends at work. You treat your colleagues well and expect a response, and rightfully so. However, it seems that time and time again we hit a "wall" in workplace relationships, and every time we give, we don't get the response we expect. We feel disappointed and frustrated, as well as self-doubt, but we shouldn't.
First, it is only natural for us to desire good relationships in the workplace.
It's no secret that having close friends at work is tough. It might sound harsh, but it's the truth. Even when we know this, it's only natural to have high expectations.
When I first entered the workplace, I was eager to get along with my colleagues and cared about what others thought. I often questioned whether I was being too sensitive. Later, I worried if I was being too accommodating. Despite no major conflicts, poor workplace interpersonal relationships make "going to work" a more exhausting and draining experience. An unstable state of mind can also lead to a lack of attention, and it seems that the most important goal of doing one's best at work has also been blurred. In my comprehensive assessment of myself, being good at getting along with others has accounted for too large a proportion.
Needless to say, I have since adjusted and grown, and reading your words brought this experience back to mind.
Good workplace relationships make us feel comfortable in the workplace. We must not allow the fear of being marginalized to stand in our way. The workplace is full of pressure to survive and compete. Potential anxiety will always be present, but we can conquer it.
In the workplace, we work hard to get along with others because we want friends, not to be left alone, and to be welcomed.
It proves something.
2. We all have good reasons for wanting to make good friends at work.
(1) The anxiety of being alienated.
One of the main challenges that many friends face when they first enter the workplace is navigating interpersonal relationships. Just as we were taught at school, some parents will tell their children that you not only have to study hard to get good grades, but also get along well with others. You can't be marginalized; you should be affirmed and recognized in this environment to show your "goodness." We also carry this kind of psychological pressure when we enter the workplace. In order to avoid being an outsider, we often try very hard to gain the goodwill of others.
(2) The desire for close friends and loneliness
Many people absolutely need to socialize, and the modern pace is actually really fast. If our work occupies most of our lives, our main field of communication with others will be the workplace. In some cases, the only space we can interact with others is the workplace.
The emotional need to gain friendship is strong, and the environment that allows opportunities to make friends and get to know them is relatively scarce.
Loneliness and the desire to share can become a very strong driving force. This is why you will be proactive in showing goodwill to others and enthusiastically inviting them to hang out together on the weekend.
If the other person has their own stable social circle and isn't motivated to develop a friendship with a colleague,
We will feel alienated.
3. Based on your situation, I am going to give you some suggestions, which are based on my experience and which I think you should take on board.
(1) Socializing is not like taking an exam, where you can get full marks if you work hard. Making good friends is actually not easy, and it's not something we can completely control.
I can see that you've tried your best, and I can also see your disappointment. Some things are indeed difficult to force. You're right, making friends is also a mutual and equal relationship. There's no solution if the other person doesn't take a single step forward, even if you take 99 steps.
Let me be clear: it's not because you're not good enough.
From your description, it's clear that you're a very giving friend in real life. You're enthusiastic and generous with sharing, and you care about and consider the feelings of others. Social interaction is a mutual interaction of wills. Everyone has their own criteria for choosing friends and different strengths of will. Therefore, in the relationship you mentioned, the other person's willingness to make friends is not strong. This doesn't make you a bad friend.
Don't fall into the whirlpool of excessive self-denial.
We must consider why we are so obsessed with relationships that don't respond to us. One strategy for dealing with such relationships is to lower our psychological expectations.
(2) Understand the "boundaries" that naturally exist in the workplace. In an environment called "work," making close friends is not the main task for everyone. And we must establish some boundaries.
You must also adjust your emotions.
We have a right to expect that our work will improve our quality of life. Many of our basic demands in the workplace are that we obtain our rights and also assume our obligations according to the labor agreement.
A materialistic drive alone is not enough. People do a job because they have their own outlook on the cause, and their ideals or even beliefs about a cause will drive us to become a better version of ourselves.
Many friends have clear boundaries at work. Outside of work, people have standards for choosing a spouse and principles for choosing friends. Everyone gathers together to form a team and work together for various reasons, but they may not necessarily become close friends. Everyone's most basic role is "colleague." Colleagues have their own private lives, and everyone has their own boundaries about whether they agree to let others enter their interactions outside of work and become involved in more personal emotions.
It is crucial to understand that respecting the boundaries of others is essential.
If this isn't the relationship model the other person wants,
We must ask ourselves: is it really necessary for us to be the ones to take the initiative?
You are always the one taking the initiative, and it can be exhausting. Don't let the lack of a warm response make you feel like you're giving too much. This feeling often appears in our adolescence or even earlier, but you can overcome it.
We should talk to someone we trust or a professional psychologist to understand the psychological issues and motivations behind it. Regardless, when you're exhausted, you must prioritize guarding your energy.
(3) Love yourself in the same way you treat others. You are your own best friend. Develop friendships with like-minded people outside of work.
You must also learn to laugh alone, to be alone, and to feel growth in the dialogue with yourself. Many friends are often very strict with themselves but very lenient with others. Take the initiative! That kind of enthusiasm is always on you, and the strength of giving is returned to you. Don't care too much about other people's comments; you deserve to be noticed.
From a different perspective, the way we treat others is the way we expect to be treated. So, treat yourself a little more kindly.
You don't have to limit yourself to making friends at work. Expand your social circles! Get involved in activities you're interested in and develop some hobbies. This can help you feel less closed off and boost your self-confidence. And shared interests are a great way to build friendships!
That is my answer in its entirety.
Thank you for reading.
I am a listening therapist at Yixinli.
I'm here to listen. Talk to me.
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling down when it seems like your efforts aren't reciprocated. It's tough putting yourself out there and not getting the response you hoped for. Maybe it's time to focus on building connections with people who naturally click with you, rather than forcing friendships where there isn't mutual interest. Sometimes we just don't mesh well with certain individuals, and that's okay.
It sounds like you've been really trying to connect with these coworkers. Not everyone will respond in kind, and that's not a reflection of your worth or likability. Perhaps consider engaging with different groups within your company or outside of work; finding a community where you feel genuinely welcomed and appreciated can do wonders for your spirits.
Feeling unappreciated is no fun at all. It might help to reflect on what you're looking for in friendships. If you find that some interactions leave you feeling drained, it might be beneficial to set boundaries or shift your energy towards relationships that uplift you. Remember, it's about quality, not quantity, so nurturing those few meaningful connections can be more rewarding.