April's tip is that to have a personal safety net that will be well-supported and available it's necessary to do two things. First, acknowledge and nurture the people and resources you do have.

1. Make a list of the people that you've turned to - whether for big things (help with moving) or small (a smile at the bus stop).
2. Appreciate the different gifts.
3. Let them know.
4. See what you can offer in return.
5. Finding ways to laugh and/or celebrate.

Most of us are involved with people on a continuum of closeness and familiarity. Secondly, see if you can identify areas where more support would be good and diversify. To do this, you can consider inviting:

1. People who are friends, but not best friends.
2. Those who are not family members.
3. Family members of different generations.
4. Friends of friends and neighbors.

The needs we experience during changes, challenges and shifts can span an enormous range. The more diverse and healthy your safety net, the stronger it will be and the more likely to be effective and efficient when needed. Go slowly in assessing trustworthiness, reliability and good will. Trust your instincts or those of someone you trust deeply. But do intentionally seek out and recruit and nurture diverse members for your net.