Sometimes life can get rough. The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to do it alone. Your allies are people who are by your side through tough times – whether it’s at school or at home, it’s important to have people in your life who can help you work through issues and stay on track.
How to identify your allies
So who exactly counts as an ally? Well, there are lots of different kinds of allies. They can be people such as:
Study buddies
You don’t even necessarily need to study in the same space, just have someone you can talk over problems and celebrate wins with.
Family supporters
Think people like your parents or siblings, prepared to guide you through the emotional and social stuff. You might even like to count a close friend in this category.
Teachers and mentors
These are your allies when it comes to things like planning your career pathways and future aspirations.
People who can keep you accountable
Most importantly, we need people who will make sure we follow through on our promises and goals.
What should you look for in your allies?
Here are some important characteristics to look for in an ally:
Honest
They’ll give you real feedback, not just tell you what you want to hear. It might hurt, but you’ll be better off for it in the long run.
Non-judgemental
They don’t necessarily need to agree with all your plans, but they should respect them and be prepared to work with you (and not try to take over either).
Not too busy
Don’t try and grab someone when they’re in the middle of making dinner or just got home from a manic day at work.
It goes both ways
While we should be appreciative of the allies in our lives, don’t forget to be an ally to the people around you as well. Whether it’s giving a friend a shoulder to lean on, guiding your younger sibling through school life, or just being there to listen, helping out others makes you feel great – and it might make them more inclined to help you out in the future too.
You can read more about finding allies and browse resources to support your growth and wellbeing here.
