Seven reasons why caring is actually a strength.

In today’s society, it often seems as though being cold towards others is seen as being “strong,” and showing feelings and emotions is equivalent to being “weak,” especially for men.

Here are seven reasons why caring is actually a strength.

You can build a support system.

It has almost become a badge of honor to say you don’t “need” someone. Of course it’s true that nobody needs someone. Nobody needs to have a friend or a significant other – but it does improve life in multiple ways.

We all find ourselves going through a tough time every now and then. Maybe you’ve lost a job or ended a relationship. Maybe you’ve gotten sick, or maybe you’ve even lost someone you care about. Regardless of how big or small your challenge is, it’s hugely helpful to have people you’re close to in your corner.

This will allow you to borrow strength from them during hard times and more easily find your way back to happiness.

It gives you the ability to help others.

If someone walks around with the presupposition in their head that people are naturally “bad” or “evil” or untrustworthy, how do you think they will approach those they don’t know? There will be an automatic aversion away from kindness, because that person doesn’t deserve it anyway, right?

How can we function and progress as a species if this is how we see each other? I believe each person is inherently good. The goodness is buried deeper inside of some than others, but overall – we just want to be loved, cared for, and respected.

Whether it is giving a dollar to a homeless person or starting a fundraiser for a cause you’re passionate about, without choosing to care for others, your ability to make a difference gets taken away.

 You can learn and grow from relationships.

Relationships are a lot like playing the lottery. You might have to lose repeatedly, but if you never play, you’ll never win. Each person we encounter and build something with, no matter how long or short, provides us with an opportunity to learn and grow as a person.

If we refuse to enter into any intimate situation because we think we might get hurt, we never have the opportunity to have these experiences.

It allows you to learn about yourself.

When you care for other people, the experience becomes internal as well as external. If we aim to have self-awareness, what we love (or don’t love) about another will open our eyes to what we love (or don’t love) about ourselves as well.

If we shut ourselves off to the world, we only allow stimuli into our lives that we choose. This makes our personal growth process look more like walking down a narrow hallway, rather than walking out into an open field where the possibilities are endless. If we open our minds to being influenced by others, we never know what we might learn.

 It allows you to learn about others.

 You will be more successful in life.

I know, I know. You don’t care what people think of you, right?

Well, when it comes time to get a job, have a friendship, start your own business, or enter into a relationship…it matters very much what other people think. If you are outspoken and adamant about the fact that you don’t care about people or what they think, then others will have no reason to trust you or think you have any allegiance to them.

This is not about people-pleasing, this is about successfully co-existing with others.

 You will be happier.

It’s simple, really. Emotional connections with others make us more fulfilled and help us lead more complete lives. Shutting out this possibility may eliminate risk of being hurt, but it is also eliminating the possibility of finding happiness with another.

Bonus: You will make others happier as well. One of the best things we can feel is the love from someone else. Their genuine caring for our well-being. You have the power and ability to give this gift to someone, just by caring about them.