Do higher levels of self-disclosure lead to greater intimacy?
As a communications student, that is a question I commonly encounter in my various texts, whether it be an introductory course to the subject or a research module on communications itself.
Although the amount of research available on this question right now is insufficient to accurately draw conclusions, I feel that yes, the more we reveal about ourselves, the closer we become to others.
But it is not always easy to open up, especially when you've been through a history of being hurt before because you opened up to...the wrong people, perhaps? People who use these information against you and make you writhe in emotional pain and agony.
Reflecting back on the friendships forged at the beginning and how these friendships stand now, I can only say that it is no one's fault, but yet it is also everyone's fault. Maybe our only fault lies in being too busy that we do not have the time to work on these friendships anymore.
Or maybe it is because, if you judge me, then you'll never know me.
I really miss my friend, C. Not that he'll ever read this, but he was truly a good friend to me. His support at one of my most emotionally rocky times this semester really helped, and I'm really sorry about how we've lost this friendship. I don't even know who screwed up. But maybe it'll be better for both of us to leave this aside and leave this behind us.
And I really appreciate my buddy, K, for being there for me throughout everything and giving me advice from a guy's perspective. Your support is much appreciated.
I think at the end of the day, we should all really take some time off to reflect on all these relationships in our lives and ask ourselves: have we let our judgments of someone stand in the way of us truly knowing the person? Have we been wrong?
Just because she's different, doesn't mean she's weird. Thanks, J, for showing me that during our talk. I'm glad I didn't judge like the rest did, because otherwise I wouldn't have known her for who she is.
