Why Strengthening Relationships Matters at This Time of Year

Maintaining relationships is something we should do all year round.
But the festive season has a way of making them feel more important.

As Maya Angelou said, “People will never forget how you made them feel.”
When the year is drawing to a close and everything feels busy, it is often moments of kindness and human connection that tend to matter most.

When we are busy, relationships are often the first thing to slip.
Not because they are unimportant, but because they rarely shout for attention.

A family member you meant to call.
A colleague you haven't checked in with for a while.
A friend you keep meaning to message.

These are small acts of connection; they are easy to postpone, yet they shape how relationships hold over time.

In Eightly, something matters if it strengthens a relationship.
That prompt exists for a reason.
When our time and energy are limited, we naturally prioritise work that is visible, measurable, or time-bound.
Relationships do not fit neatly into those categories, so they only stay present if we choose them.

Strengthening a relationship does not require a grand gesture.
It can be as one small, genuine action.
A message sent.
A call or conversation.
Or simply showing gratitude.

Adding one to your list is not about turning people into tasks.
It is about recognising that connection deserves space alongside everything else competing for your attention.

Choosing to reconnect prevents drift.
It keeps relationships from needing repair later.

As you write your list this week, consider whether there is one relationship that would benefit from a small act of attention.

One is enough. Chosen deliberately, it will do more than it appears to on paper.

That is what Eightly means by choosing what matters.

Do what matters. Every day.