Quality over quantity. The phrase is self-explanatory. To me, it is so much better and worthwhile to have a small group of close friends who actually understand you, then double the number with just distant acquaintances.
I can say with certainty that in my 17 years of living, current and past friendships have taught me very valuable lessons. Like how to show up, how to be loyal, how to be vulnerable, and most importantly – how to be a better person. Since my first best friend in Paris, to the ones now trying not to laugh at my speech, I have seen my friendships as a way to extend myself further. To express myself and figure out what I want to do with my time and who I want to spend it with.
Who you hang out with says a lot about you. You’re friends with your friends in the first place because you have compatibility, your values align. In shows, platonic friendships are always shown as second to a romantic one, only being important because they bring laughs and are not as serious as a romantic relationship. However, platonic friendships are so much more than a quick joke, they indirectly show you what you prioritize.
Friendships connect people on another level. Good friends, understand you and stick with you, even if you steal their pajamas and forget to give them back until 3 months later, even if you almost make them pee their pants from laughing too hard, and even if you eat all their food.
With friendships, everything is mutual. When you’re pissed off at something, they’re pissed off for you. When they’re going through something, you show up for them.
Not so good friends taught me how to put up boundaries, very good friends showed me the importance of letting go of self-doubt and just being me.
You appreciate the little things more when you’re with your friends. You realize, “hey it’s really not that serious.” If I don’t come back home after school with a smile about what my friends and I laughed about that day, it’s been a boring day.
Friends help with confidence, make you realize they’re friends with you not because of anything materialistic, but because of how you make each other feel.
“You’re only as good as the people you have around you,” said John C. Maxwell. And to me this is absolutely true.
In life there will inevitably be many hardships that you will have to encounter. But with the help of your friends and reassurance that they’ll stick by you, those hardships are much easier to counter. This I believe, the unwavering loyalty and trust, the countless memories you’ll make together, and the reassurance of friends, makes life worth living.
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