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TikTok sensation -

If you have been active on social media recently, you may have come across people talking about pebbling.

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Small token of affection -

Inspired by the romantic behavior of penguins, pebbling is the act of giving a small token of affection to someone you care about, whether it be romantically or platonically.

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Inspired by penguins -

The term was inspired by the cute, and apparently very romantic, birds, who like to choose the smoothest and prettiest pebble and gift it to their love interest.

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Human version -

While we humans tend not to express affection with pebbles, we do like to give and receive small gestures of affection, such as a surprise cup of tea.

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Pebbling and neurodivergence - Although this phenomenon has recently garnered more attention thanks to TikTok, pebbling has been a popular way to express affection for a long time, particularly within the neurodivergent community.

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Non-verbal communication -

Studies show that many people on the autism spectrum do not like auditory communication, and instead may prefer other forms of communication, such as giving small gifts.

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No need for words -

Indeed, giving a physical gift, such as a love letter or a souvenir from a trip, can be a great way to express affection without needing to speak words.

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More than one way -

That’s not to say that pebbling is the only way to express affection, of course. It can be useful, however, and especially effective.

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It's the thought that counts -

When it comes to our personal relationships, it is important to remember that the small and thoughtful gestures matter.

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Pebbling tips for personal relationships -

There are many ways that you can incorporate pebbling into your personal relationships and show a person you are thinking of them, even if you’re not physically together.

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Send a message -

For example, you might send your friend or significant other a ‘thinking of you’ message just to brighten their day.

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Send a message -

The message needn’t be long; it could even be a meme. However, it should be something personal that shows how much you value your connection.

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Celebrate the small wins -

Another good way to practice pebbling in your personal relationships is to celebrate the small wins. This is too easy to forget among the busyness of everyday life.

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Celebrate the small wins -

If your friend, family member, or partner completes a workout or finishes their book, make sure to acknowledge it. This will make them feel acknowledged and supported.

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Remember the important dates -

Finally, it is great pebbling practice to remember the important dates. When it comes to anniversaries and birthdays, this goes without saying.

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Remember the important dates -

However, people really appreciate it if you also remember the less obvious, but still significant dates, such as the date they moved to a different country.

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Pebbling tips for professional relationships -

It is also a good idea to practice pebbling in your professional life, since this can strengthen relationships and create opportunities.

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Express gratitude -

You might, for example, express gratitude to a colleague for their valuable input in a meeting or on a project. Even a short, yet specific, email should do the trick.

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Share resources - It is also a nice idea to share resources, such as relevant articles or webinars, with your colleagues, especially when unprompted.

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Share resources - If you come across something that makes you think of someone in particular, share it with that person along with a little explanatory note.

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Celebrate milestones -

As with pebbling in your personal life, it is important to celebrate professional milestones with your colleagues.

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Celebrate milestones -

Do not forget to congratulate your colleague on their promotion or work anniversary. These are the gestures that foster recognition and support.

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Offer support -

Finally, a very effective pebbling gesture is simply offering support. If you can afford the time, try to regularly offer assistance on projects and tasks.

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Offer support -

Even if you are just offering to be a sounding board, the very gesture goes a long way towards creating a culture of mutual support and collaboration.

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Tips for pebbling gifts -

If you’d like to incorporate some physical gift giving into your pebbling practice, bear in mind that nothing is too small and there should not be too much thought involved.

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Tips for pebbling gifts -

For example, there might be a silly trinket that catches your eye and reminds you of a friend, or you might grab your colleague’s favorite pastry while picking up your morning coffee.

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Personal approach -

While pebbling shouldn’t involve too much thought, it should be personal. After all, it’s the personal touch in a small gesture that shows the other person you care.

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Personal approach -

Bear in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to pebbling, and that it will look different depending on the person that you have in mind.

Sources: (Verywell Mind) (The Social Media Butterfly)

See also: 30 animals with surprisingly human traits

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