The ObservatoryDaring to take the first step
A small, concrete step toward a friendship that can hold.
How it works
- Who are you thinking ofWriteChoose
- Face the fearWrite
- Take a small stepChooseWrite
Adult friendships rarely die from unwillingness. They die because no one takes the first step. There is almost always someone: someone you like but never quite reach, an old friend you lost touch with, someone you admire …
Exercise in 3 steps, about 10 minutes. Doing it is part of Premium, which you try free for 7 days with no card. With Premium your answers are saved so you can pick up where you left off and look back at what you wrote.
Try PremiumThe rest of the text and the exercise are part of Premium. You try everything for 7 days with no card, and can cancel whenever you like. Sign in if you already have an account.
Why does it work?
We systematically underestimate how much other people like us after a conversation (the "liking gap"), which holds back social initiative. Loneliness is a recognized public health issue. Boothby et al. (2018); WHO (2023) on social isolation.
Account, your first assessment with the hexagon and one new measurement every quarter are free. The rest is part of Premium: SEK 99 a month or SEK 699 a year, VAT included.
Read more
Social calendar
Choose a person you have not been in touch with for a long time, write the message with a concrete time — then actually send it.
Tool9 minThe support map
Map who you can turn to for what, and where in the network it is thin.
Session7 minCarrying someone in your thoughts
A quiet moment of connection with someone you miss or often carry with you in your thoughts