Finding Balance in a Virtual World.

Digital communication has become an integral part of the present era. We connect with new people every day, some may be our colleagues, some are friends, some are just acquaintances. But how healthy digital relationships can be maintained is the real challenge.

From my personal experience, many good relationships have been created through digital, but they have not been easy to sustain. Once I saw, many people hide their true form on online platforms, or do things without understanding the depth of the relationship, which later creates misunderstandings. When I first developed professional relationships online, I realized how important it is to draw boundaries.

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Especially in the workplace, where there is virtual interaction with colleagues, it is important to strike the right balance. In my current workplace, I have to interact with bosses and colleagues through digital media, and maintaining clear communication and professionalism is mandatory to keep these relationships strong. Once it happened, I was having an intimate conversation with a colleague about work, but didn't realize that it was slowly moving beyond professional boundaries to a personal level. I later realized that I had created a balance of relationships that maintained professionalism.

However, not only work but also personal problems arise in online relationships. I was once in a situation where a virtual friendship seemed great, but after a while realized, it was only one-sided. A lot of people get close online very easily, but they don't have presence in real life. That's when I realized, no matter how strong online friendships are, they don't have the same depth as real life relationships. So I'm kind of careful about online now—so that unnecessary emotions don't get worked up and reality stays in mind.

It is possible to maintain healthy digital relationships by following some rules. First, personal and professional relationships should never be confused. Secondly, it is important to have transparency in the relationship, so that no one misunderstands. Thirdly, it is necessary to stay away from excessive attachment, because people in the virtual world are not really part of our lives, as much as we think. And most importantly, draw boundaries—so that relationships never create excessive expectations.

As I have learned from my experience, digital relationships can be as convenient as they are dangerous, if we are not aware. Rather than building relationships, the real challenge is keeping them on track. Therefore, whatever relationship is formed in the virtual world, it is wisest to manage the relationship on the ground of reality