The Importance of Reciprocal Relationships: while most of us would agree on the importance of reciprocal relationships, we don’t consciously think about this idea of reciprocity when it comes to friendships and romantic relationships. Reciprocity is a mutual exchange of actions, goods, energy, time, emotion, etc. between two people. Reciprocity is similar to a game of tennis or ping pong. There’s a rhythm or a flow of a back and forth exchange. When someone reciprocates our efforts, it can leave us feeling validated in our choices and friendship, energized to keep going in this friendship or relationship and give more, and leaves us with this overall sense that we are valued and appreciated. Meaningful friendships as well as romantic relationships requires investment, and reciprocity can be the gauge of whether or not the investment is worth it. A few things to note about reciprocity: This article focuses on the reciprocity between peers. Reciprocity cannot be measured in all relationships, for example a parent/child relationship. There is nothing reciprocal about being a parent. You love your child unconditionally often expecting and receiving nothing in return. It’s a much different relationship than relationships with a peer or a spouse, and that is to be expected.
Individual Therapy: It’s okay to assess
Often when clients are challenged to asses the reciprocity, or the “give and take” in their relationships, a common complaint is they feel guilty and greedy for exploring how their relationships benefit them. Assessing reciprocity is not about “tit for tat,” it about taking an honest look at the dynamics in your relationships and assessing the investment on each side.
Where in the relationship do you feel fulfilled? Where you each get your needs met and fulfillment in the relationship may be entirely different, and that’s common. However, if you’re unable to identify exactly what you’ve invested in and where you typically get something out of the relationship, then this may be a friendship you may want to reconsider.
Individual Therapy: When assessing, here are some areas you may want to explore
-Do you receive emotional support from this person? Encouragement?
-Is she/he there at a moments notice when you’re in need? Or, has this person filled this role rather regularly in the past?
-Do you feel you can be completely honest with this person, even if it poses potential conflict?
-Does this person serve as inspiration? Either through words or action?
-Do you feel (more often than not) that this person has your best interest at heart?
Individual Therapy: Investment
Realistically, reciprocity between two people may not always have a constant and even flow. Depending on people’s life circumstances, they may not be able to give as much as they are receiving from you. Maybe they just had their first child, or they lost a parent, or they just went through a significant move. However, this is where the concept of investment comes in. Do you feel the two of you have invested enough in the relationship in the past that you have a strong enough foundation to be more of the giver during this time? The most important question to ask yourself in such a situation is, do you believe your friend would do the same for you? Would he/she sacrifice her needs and be the friend you need during this time? If your answer is yes, then you know you have a strong enough friendships that it can survive temporary inconsistent reciprocity. However, if your answer is no, then what is it that keeps you in this friendship? What is your motivation to continue this relationship?
Individual Therapy: When the relationship is not reciprocal
You’ve assessed, you’ve explored, and you’ve identified that one of your relationships is not reciprocal, so now what? It is up to you to decide if you want to cut ties completely, confront your friend about the unbalance and how you feel about it, or you can decrease the amount of energy and effort you put into this relationship and simply prioritize this friendship less. Perhaps, there is still something in this relationship you feel is rewarding to you, and you don’t want to let go completely, but you are will to let go slightly. That’s okay. Not every relationship will have the same level of closeness, connection, and time and energy spent. We have many relationships that fill different needs at different times.
Individual Therapy: It’s okay to walk away
Your time is valuable, and so is what you bring to your relationships. It’s okay to be selective in how and who you spend your time with. Who is worth your time? Who is worth investing in? As we get older, there is personal time, and less time to spend with friends. So when that opportunity is there to be social and catchup on your relationships, it’s important that the relationships deserve it. Not every relationship will be worth it, and not every relationship is meant to last forever. Certain relationships are meant to fill a specific purpose and time in your life.
We all need people in our life who contribute to our growth in someway. Whether it’s simply by being support in a time of need, or someone who challenges us to expand our way of thinking, regardless of what it is, it’s important and healthy to have people around you that help you thrive and grow. When we allow people in who do not add to our life in anyway, or simply take without giving back, we are susceptible to stagnation, burnout, or even a poor sense of self. To really take inventory of the quality of your friendships with the goal of eliminating any non-reciprocal or toxic friends, it means we value ourselves enough to believe we deserve better, we deserve to be treated the way we treat others.
Self schedule your inperson or virtual therapy appointment in Philadelphia PA, Mechanicsville VA, Ocean City NJ and Santa Fe NM The Center For Growth is Proud To Have The Following InPerson Therapy Offices:
- Ocean City Therapy Office
360 West Ave, Floor 1, Ocean City, NJ 08226 - Mechanicsville Therapy Office
9044 Mann Drive, Mechanicsville Virginia, 23116 - Alpharetta Office
11720 Amber Park Drive, Suite 160, Alpharetta GA 30006 - Society Hill Therapy Office
233 S. 6th Street, C-33, Philadelphia PA 19106 - Art Museum / Fairmount Therapy Office
2401 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 1a2, Philadelphia PA 19130 - Santa Fe Therapy Office, 2204 B Brothers Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505
- Telemedicine Therapy: We have therapists who are licensed to work in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Virginia New Mexico and Pennsylvania
