Everyone needs someone. This is a biological fact of human nature; we all crave attachment. The form of that attachment varies from person to person; it could be with blood relatives like parents, siblings or extended family members. Others find it in the form of friendships, whether it be large groups of friends or only one or two. And of course, attachment to a spouse or other romantic relationship is perhaps the most intimate of all. Whatever form the attachment takes, all people have a need for it. Therefore, it is vitally important to an individual’s emotional and mental health to find this attachment and cling to it.
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, humans need to feel love and acceptance from those around them. This need is so innately ingrained that it may be strong enough to overcome physiological and safety needs. Social relationships help people define themselves and create a reliable and healthy self-concept. Lack of this interaction and attachment can lead to extreme loneliness and depression.
Social interaction and attachment are easy enough to talk about, but sometimes difficult to accomplish, particularly in the life of a busy college student. Homework, classes and jobs are just a few of the stresses that can keep students from developing friendships or going to parties and hanging out with peers. Sometimes it can be really easy to rationalize putting social things behind school and work because of course school and work have the power to affect future jobs and opportunities. But making time for social things doesn't mean you're sacrificing your future. Family, whether it be in the form of friends or relatives, is also vital to the future because they influence how you feel at the moment.
Personally, I haven’t always been the most outgoing or social person. I thought I liked being alone, reading books or listening to music. But the older I got, the more I realized that being with my family and my friends was the thing that made me happiest. Whenever I need a break from school or other stresses, my family has been there for me. Being with them has always given me support and relief, and the same can be said for anyone else and their family group. Whether that group is made up of hundreds of people or just one or two, everyone needs to have someone to connect with and accept them.
Finding attachment, finding a family, is the purpose of human existence. Regardless of the success one has in life, it is biologically proven to be less meaningful and even empty without someone to share it with. Having a family in any form is what will ultimately lead to happiness in the future. In the moment, this attachment to another person, in friendship, as blood relatives or in a romantic relationship is what provides support and helps maintain one’s mental and emotional health. Never be too distracted by the stresses of life to ignore personal relationships because they are the only real sanctuary from difficulty in this world.
