Man is a social creature, and none of us live in a vacuum. We all have people around us, some are good for us and some are harmful, and sometimes it's hard to know who we should keep close and who we should let go. Just as a balanced diet requires different types of foods, so too our social circle should include different types of people, each of whom has a different role in our personal development and mental well-being. Today we will introduce you to 10 types of people that your soul needs, and we will also explain to you where you can find them and who they can be. You may already have some of them in your life, and you may find that you are missing some, so find out now who the people you should surround yourself with and how to know who they are.
1. A supportive friend
Such a person is a true friend who is there for you always and unconditionally. He will listen to what you have to say without judgment, offer comfort and a shoulder to cry on, and pick you up when you fall with words of encouragement or simply by his presence. Such a friend understands his power and knows that you simply need him by your side, even if he doesn't say a word, and when he does speak, his words will be a light in the darkness for you.
Who it could be: a childhood friend, a co-worker with whom you connected and became close to each other or even a family member who took on the role of a friend in your life. Usually it will come from your circle of friends or from groups you joined and where there are people who share the same hobby with you, such as a class or course you signed up for.
2. A Mentor
The mentor is a person who knows how to navigate life, and he uses his experience to provide you with guidance and insights that will help you overcome professional or personal challenges. Such a person helps you develop and accelerate your learning process thanks to his wisdom and experience, and he has a lot of advice to give you, and you will usually want to get it from him.
Who it could be: a teacher, a more experienced colleague than you at work or a professional in a certain field that you are interested in and wish to develop in. Usually it will come from your professional circle or people who are involved in the industry in the field in which you want to advance.
3. A Cheerleader
The cheerleader believes in you, sees in you what you may not be able to see in yourself and pushes you towards reaching your potential. He is the one who celebrates your victories with you, no matter how small they are, and gives you motivation to keep going even when it's hard. His faith in your abilities is unwavering and even contagious.
Who it could be: a brother or sister, a spouse or simply a person who wants your best and supports you. You will usually find him in your closest social circle, but he can also be a member of a team you belong to, such as a sports team or at work.
4. A Challenger
A challenger is a person who encourages your personal development by helping you get out of your comfort zone. He pushes you beyond what you think is the limit of your ability and makes you take risks, by challenging your ideas and decisions, and thus he helps you grow with the innovative ability that comes from you and by changing your perspective about life, which helps you develop new and useful abilities.
Who it could be: a coach, a boss or any other person who pushes you to be better than you are, as well as a close friend who is not ashamed to tell you his opinion. Usually such a person comes from a competitive environment, such as a workplace or studies, as well as from a sports team to which you belong
5. A Confidant
A confidant is a person you can trust with your eyes closed and to whom you are able to reveal your weaknesses and deepest thoughts. He supports you without judgment and offers you a safe place where you can be completely honest without fear of being thought badly of.
Who it could be: a good friend, a spouse or a family member to whom you are very close. You will naturally gravitate to such a person when you feel you need support, and they will usually be someone with whom you are in a long-term relationship built on trust.
6. A Comedian
The comedian is a person who brings lightness and humor into your life, and has the ability to make you laugh in any situation, reduce the stress you experience and remind you that you don't have to take everything too seriously. Laughter can be a very powerful tool for changing your perspective in life, and if it doesn't come from within yourself, the comedian can help you get this tool when you need it.
Who it could be: a witty or silly friend, or a family member who is known for his well-developed sense of humor. You will usually find him in your wide social circle, and he doesn't have to be a person who is very close to you - just someone who helps you laugh and see life from a slightly less serious point of view.
7. A Realist
The realist is a down-to-earth person who maintains an objective approach anchored in reality. It is practical and usually helps you see things as they are - not as you would like to see them. His practical advice can help you make balanced and correct decisions, and he can also help you focus on what's important in life, including your goals.
Who it could be: A serious friend or family member who usually doesn't give in to distractions easily. This is often a person who is known for providing practical advice and whose opinion is trusted by other people.
8. A Spiritual Teacher
The spiritual teacher provides you with much more than ordinary advice; He helps you navigate within your soul. This will usually be the person you turn to when you have trouble understanding the deeper meaning of life and your place on earth. He can help you adjust your actions to your beliefs and values, and he can also provide mental support if necessary and show you how to connect with your inner self and find meaning in life.
Who it could be: a spiritual leader, a holy person, a yoga instructor, or someone who has good intuition and whom you trust. You can find it in the religious community to which you belong, in various spiritual circles or in empowerment or philosophy communities whose ideas you connect with.
9. The collaborator
The collaborator is a person who shares a creation or a goal with you, and who works together with you to achieve the same achievements. He shares your vision with you and is a full partner in the work you do, so that together with him you can turn your dreams into reality, among other things with the help of brainstorming and proposing solutions to the problems you are having difficulty with. He can bring with him abilities that you don't have, as well as new perspectives, and all of these help to improve and accelerate the path of both of you towards a common goal.
Who it could be: a co-worker, a schoolmate or someone you met at a networking meeting and with whom you found a common language. It can actually be any person who has the same goals as yours and who wants to succeed in a certain area together with you.
10. A Role Model
A role model is a living example of the values, attitude and manner of behavior and action that you want to adopt. His life shows you the possibility you are interested in, and he inspires you to aspire to be the best version you set for yourself, with the help of a personal example. He can offer support and advice, but he will not always be a person who is accessible to you and with whom you can have direct personal contact. Unlike a mentor, it may be someone who doesn't even know you or spent any time with you. A mentor may not always be someone you look up to in other ways than the one you want to learn from them.
Who it could be: a public figure you admire, an older family member whose opinions you value or a leader in the community you belong to. You can find him everywhere, especially through social or media media.