HackMDRelationship Status (Example)
In the default approach to relationships, the notion of a relationship status tends to signify availability in terms of the structure of one specific relationship (married/ de-facto/ single).
None of these options apply to me because I have multiple intentional relations while living solo where what constitutes each relationship is co-created. However, just because I cultivate multiple relationships doesn't mean I'm always available for exploring new connections.
Therefore, I tend to offer general guidance on what a new aquaintence might expect from me if seeking additional connections. This type of guide dates quickly, but I've found it useful all the same.
Shared as an example of personal interaction guides within the Intentional Relationships Toolkit.
~2019
I am committed to co-navigating ongoing-connections in various kinds of intentional relationships. I am also invested in contributing to the various partially-intersecting communities I feel at home within.
All my relationships start with a conversation. This interest isn't always obvious; I can be reserved in groups and need to build up courage to initiate even basic conversation. As such, I especially enjoy getting drawn into individual conversations that explore topics in intricate detail. I also like gently meandering discussions that follow tangential associations and can continue across multiple conversations.
Given my existing commitments I am not actively seeking out new connections. Nonetheless, I tend to respond well to other people taking the initiative in ways that are respectful (and don't come across as entitled to my attention/interest/time, etc.,). For example, I am likely to welcome invitations to interact where:
- you have questions about the things I find interesting and want to be given too much info about those things.
- you have expertise in an area I've expressed interest and you want to help me learn more about that specific thing.
- you have some constructive criticism to provide on something I've created for public use.
- we share a mutual connection to someone I care about and you would like to have a direct-line of communication with me.
tags: meta-communication personal-examples intentional-relationships
Date created: 2020
Version: 3.0
Created for: Resources for Intentional Relationships
Attribution: created by E. T. Smith on unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people.
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