What Makes us and Others Feel Included or Excluded
Feeling excluded…
There are many situations that have probably occurred already in your life where you have felt more or less included.
Sometimes, being included may come from somebody inviting us to an activity, giving us a smile when we join in with that activity; asking us questions or rearranging an activity so that we can join in at a date or time that suits us.
When we feel excluded, on the other hand, it can have a significant impact on our emotions. If we need to get used to feeling excluded, we can build up what appears to be a thicker skin where it looks like we may not care that we haven’t been included. This can lead to longer term mental health and physical health impacts.
The one thing that research says keeps us healthier and happier for longer in our lives is a feeling of social connectedness.
Stop to think… and get out your pen and paper
Take some time to identify a situation where you felt excluded. What happened to make you feel like that? Could anyone have helped to make you feel any less excluded? What sort of emotions did this raise in you?
Now take some time to identify a situation where you felt very included. Identify what other people around you did to help you to feel included. How did you feel when you were included? What barriers did you overcome in order to be included in this particular situation?