New social networking to combat loneliness for the holidays

For some people, the holidays can be the loneliest time of the year. For those who feel isolated, there’s now a positive way to make more meaningful connections. TrueEQ is a new social networking site where users create and nurture more authentic relationships, and reframe how they think about themselves and their place in the world. This app could be the key to a more fulfilling holiday season and the start of a transformative new year!

New social networking to help people find meaningful connections this holiday season

"TrueEQ is rooted in emotional intelligence. It is for compassionate people who prioritize self-awareness and emotional growth over idealized status and appearance. This foundation enables people to connect on a deeper emotional level, away from the noise and distractions of traditional social media," explains creator Brandon Bishop.

Bishop anticipates this will start a positive movement. "This new platform isn’t a dating app. Nor is it just about meeting like-minded people. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself."

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a skillset that helps people understand and manage their emotions. Its four pillars are:

• Self-awareness: Understanding emotions. Self-awareness involves an individual’s recognition of their feelings, and how they impact their actions and decisions.
• Social awareness: Tuning into others’ emotions. This is about seeing beyond words, tuning into body language, tone, and other subtle cues that reveal deeper feelings.
• Self-management: Mastering your emotions. This is the art of regulating emotional responses in ways that serve relationships rather than harm them.
• Relationship management: Building emotionally intelligent bonds. This is about handling conflict with care, communicating openly, and fostering trust.

"Research consistently shows that individuals with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to manage their emotions, understand the feelings of others, and build strong, empathetic relationships in both personal and professional settings," says Bishop.

For Bishop, this is a passion project

Bishop, who holds a master’s in secondary education from the University of Missouri, knows firsthand how painful and isolating shallow relationships can be. He grew up with parents who were emotionally unavailable. From a young age, he tried to fill the void with friendships that consistently deteriorated. He began to understand that true self-worth comes from within. The idea of creating a platform where he can teach users how to have safe and authentic interactions took hold.  

"TrueEQ is about building connections that uplift and transform. Whether individuals are looking for a friend, partner, or colleague, this new platform can help them find people who truly care, listen, and support them on their emotional journey."

How the TrueEQ community platform works

All new users to the free platform will take a 15-question, multiple-choice quiz to assess their strength in each of the four EQ categories. Don’t worry. These results are not shared with anyone.

A proprietary heart meter visually represents each user’s EQ to encourage growth and self-reflection. EQ scores and interests will be used to create connection suggestions.

"People want to surround themselves with communities that are supportive and encouraging. This platform isn’t about posting pictures of your last meal or items you’re selling. It’s designed to unite people who want more meaningful connections and are willing to develop stronger EQ skills," Bishop observes.

This will become a platform for lifelong learning and personal growth

Bishop intends to expand the societal impact of this new platform by collaborating with scientific researchers and educators who can contribute content to support the brand’s mission. He also envisions partnering with corporate trainers, therapists, educational institutions, and others to develop TrueEQ training materials and certification programs.

"TrueEQ focuses on creating connections based on emotional depth and empathy. These skills can be valuable in the workplace, our educational system, and in high-stress occupations such as healthcare and first responders. This platform is transformative for anyone wanting more meaningful connections and wanting to get better at handling conflict with care, communicating openly, and fostering trust."