circle of support
We all need people in our life to help us get through good and bad times. Depending on our situation, we may rely on friends, family members, teachers, and other people that we know and trust. We seek these people out for various reasons, and they form our circle of support.
Right after the incident, the first person I wanted was my mom because she gave me comfort, support, and unconditional love. While Mom was amazing, I quickly realized I needed someone who had gone through this before and came out okay on the other side. I desperately needed to talk to a survivor, someone who could truly understand what I was going through. I found this person and many others in a rape crisis support group. This group was made up of people who were like me, people who could identify with my experience. It was comforting to go into a room with these people, my friends, and feel like I wasn’t crazy. I was surrounded by people who knew exactly what I was going through and didn’t judge me. These people formed my circle of support, and I don’t know where I’d be today without them. ~Regan
A circle of support is a network of people who play different roles in your life, such as friend, confidant, caretaker, advocate, and so on. They are the people who are there during life’s good and bad times. They push you to achieve your dreams, celebrate your accomplishments, and provide you with support during difficult times.
There are two parts to your support circle: the inner circle and the outer circle.
Your inner circle is comprised of the people whom you can be the “real you” around and whom you connect with emotionally. These people accept you for who you are. Some have a lot of people in their inner circle, but most have only a few. Either way it’s okay. The important thing is that you have someone you trust and can turn to during tough times.
Inner circle people
- care and love you unconditionally
- encourage you to keep persevering, even when you want to give up
- lift you up when you’re feeling down
- believe in your ability to get through tough times
- listen and understand what you’re going through
Your outer circle is made up of casual friends. These are people that you enjoy being around and going places with, but you may not tell them everything. They are the friends who may let you borrow a textbook if you forgot yours, loan you money for lunch, or give you a ride when you need one. They aren’t as close as your inner circle, but they still play an important role in your life.
Outer circle people
- help with day-to-day things
- are fun to be around
- boost your mood when you’re sad
- treat you with kindness and respect
Who is in your circle of support? Complete each ring of the circle with the following information:
You: Write what you need most from your support circle. For example, do you need people who will listen, understand what you’re going through, and believe in you?
Inner Circle: Write the names of the people whom you reach out to the most. Who are you closest to in life? Who supports you during the hard times? Who celebrates your successes with you?
Outer Circle: Write the names of the people who are casual friends. These are the people whom you enjoy talking to, spending time with, and being around.
Outer Circle
Inner Circle
You
You chose the people in your circles for a reason, probably because each person fulfills a personal need. What personal need does each person in your circles meet?
| Inner Circle |
| Person’s Name |
Why I Choose This Person |
Why I Need This Person |
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Aubrey
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best friend since childhood
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I trust her, and she is always there for me.
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| Outer Circle |
| Person’s Name |
Why I Choose This Person |
Why I Need This Person |
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words of inspiration
You don’t ever have to feel like you’re alone because there are people that love you and understand what you are going through. All you have to do is identify them. ~Regan