Newbie struggling with Eloquent 'Call to undefined method' error after a recent Laravel troubleshooting attempt

1. Introduction & Context

Hey everyone! As a complete beginner, I'm trying to get my first Laravel app off the ground. I've been working on a simple CRUD application, and after attempting some basic Laravel troubleshooting for a previous issue, I've run into a new problem that's got me completely stumped.

I'm using Laravel 10 and trying to fetch data from my database using Eloquent, but it's not going as planned.

2. The Specific Problem

I'm encountering a "Call to undefined method" error when trying to use a specific Eloquent method after a recent database migration. It seems related to how I'm calling a relationship or maybe a custom method, and I'm not sure what I'm missing.

3. Error Log / Code Snippet (Placeholder)

Here's a simplified version of the code I'm working with and the error I'm getting:

// My Model method
public function getActiveUsers()
{
    return $this->users()->where('status', 'active')->get();
}

// Controller call
$activeUsers = MyModel::getActiveUsers();

// The Error:
// Call to undefined method App\Models\MyModel::users()

4. My Question

I'm really stumped by this. What could be causing this "Call to undefined method" error? Did I miss something fundamental about defining Eloquent relationships, or am I perhaps mixing up static vs. instance methods incorrectly? Any guidance on how to properly implement this or where to look for the mistake would be greatly appreciated.

5. Seeking Expert Advice

I'm hoping someone experienced with Laravel can point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for your help!