Page 20 - Dainfern Precinct Living 5 2021

LIFESTYLE

THIRTY-FIVE QUESTIONS TO

IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

BY MICHELLE RAYMOND
I increase closeness in a relationship. I have included
have had many conversations and coaching
sessions lately with people who are questioning the
them here for you to try.
quality of their relationships - especially nowadays

GETTING STARTED
with the effect the COVID pandemic has had on
Find someone that you would like to be closer to.
personal connection.
Whether it is love you are after or a deeper bond with
The theme of quality over quantity is becoming more those around you, these questions are a useful way to
prevalent. improve your relationships with family members, friends
and acquaintances. But before diving into this, make
COVID has indeed been awful for human relationships sure you and your chosen companion for the exercise
in general because connecting with others fulfils our are comfortable sharing personal thoughts and feelings.
basic psychological needs. The need to belong to
something and the need to feel accepted lies deep YOU WILL NEED:
within our subconscious minds. Without it, or with it 45 minutes of uninterrupted time together.
reduced to such a degree, significant mental health For the first 15 minutes, take turns asking the questions
problems are caused. from SET 1. Each person should answer each question,
but in alternating order, so that a different person goes
As a coach, I am always looking for ways to increase first each time. After 15 minutes, move on to SET 2
the overall well-being of my clients and the community, even if you have not completed SET 1. Again after
and I remembered reading a study by Arthur Aron another 15 minutes, move to SET 3.
from the State University of New York. He and his Each set of questions elicits deeper and more
colleagues created a series of questions designed to thoughtful answers than the previous set.

SET 1 going to say? Why? mind or body of a 30-year-old for
1. Given the choice of anyone in the the last 60 years of life, which
world (dead or alive), who would you 4. What would constitute a ‘perfect’ would you want?
want as a dinner guest? day for you?
7. Do you have a secret hunch about
2. What would you want to be famous 5. When did you last sing to yourself? how you will die?
for and why? To someone else?
8. From your perspective, name
3. Before making a telephone call, 6. If you were able to live to the three things you and your companion
do you ever rehearse what you are age of 90 and retain either the appear to have in common.
4
2 4 4 6
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