Friends seem to come and go in my life more than I expected.

I'd get sad

When I was always the one to reach out and make plans or find out how my friends were doing.

When I wouldn’t I wouldn’t hear from them for a while, which was fine because people have their own lives and they get busy. On the other hand, if people stopped reaching out to me, I'd notice and reach out to them.

I'd get frustrated.

When I was the only one reach out, because I expect my “friends” to put in the effort to work with me and make plans to meet up.

When they would just say they were busy, but wanted to hang out some other time, and I would expect them to reach out to me or suggest another time.

When friendships break because of that; not because of a falling out or because someone moved, but simply because nothing happened. It's the saddest kind of leaving.

That kind of loss would get into my head and make me doubt the friendship.

I realized it’s not me

People as a whole are selfish and lazy. Which is OK, take care of yourself I get it, but I don’t have to settle for what.

Why would I want to be friends with people who get busy with their lives and don’t notice my absence?

Why would I want to be friends with someone who gives me a one-sided friendship?

Why would I want to surround myself with people who have the same amount of fun whether I am there or not?

I don’t have to be part of a friendship where my worth is questioned.

I will continue to hold on to those friends that make me feel special. The ones that put in the effort to make plans with me. The ones that notice when I am not there. The ones who ask me about my life and actually care about the answers.

Instead of being sad I choose

To remember to tell the friends I have that I want to keep their friendship forever.

I make sure they know that I appreciate them and want to create memories, and if they make me feel the same way then our friendship will stay strong.

Friends are great, but not all of them last forever.

Don’t settle for friends who make you question if the friendship is real, and don’t take advantage of the ones who put the work into making you feel valued.