Relationships and communication
Finally, the development of positive relationships and more effective communication with others emerged as one of the results. Some participants have experienced being more able to receive and welcome help from others, for example: “I have found people on my way on whom I could rely and I am now surrounded by a stable affective environment” or “I have received so much help and support from my father-in-law”. Reaching out to others was also common among participants, with some reporting having sought support from others in their group: “I felt the need to continue to exchange with [another participant’s name] who gave me advice when working in a small group”. Another participant shared: “Even though we did not know each other well, the intimacy developed in breakout rooms was simply incredible”. Participants reported developing more positive expectations towards others and being on the giving end of kindness and altruism: “I devote myself now to trying to help others by transmitting my experience, my learning and discoveries”, “I make myself available and listening to my close people, my clients, my friends”. Some participants have experienced relationships to be helpful and strengthened when confronting adverse situations. This was not limited to friends and family: supportive positive work relationships were also described. For instance, a participant expressed the following regarding her relationships with her colleagues after dealing together with a difficult manager: “Our relationships became more fluid, with more sharing, and a lot more trust between us”.