Many of us like the idea of being a self-made man or woman. It is in our nature to admire those that can go through this life unassisted and be successful. However, the truth is that there is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Instead, we are the products of our experiences, environments and those who we surround ourselves with.

Our friends are perhaps some of the most influential people in our lives. They play a big role in shaping us into the people we become. With that in mind, it is important to pick the “good eggs,” the people that will emotionally, physically and mentally improve your well-being. Although there is no fool-proof way to pick good friends, it is my experience that environmentally conscious people make the best friends and here is why:

They're great at conversation.

It seems that now days people can be very one-dimensional. Nobody enjoys having dull conversations with their friends. You can only ask them “what’s up?” so many times. When you befriend an environmentally conscious person, your conversations suddenly become intelligent. It seems that they are always up-to-date on the latest political and pop-culture happenings. This is because an environmentally conscious person cares about how these things affect the environment. Sparkling, intellectual conversations at last!

They provide you with adventure opportunities.

If you feel like you are stuck in a rut and never do anything exciting, it is time to find yourself an environmentally friendly pal. Chances are that if they care about nature, they like to be in it too. This will open your doors up to trips to the lake or hikes in the mountains. Being out in nature is already a wonderful experience, but imagine getting to do these things with your friends. Plus the added physical benefits of getting up and moving.

They are self-aware.

In my experience, environmentally conscious people are very self-aware. They know what they believe in and what their moral obligation to their beliefs are. They are passionate about many aspects of their life and this makes them interesting and “real.” What you see is what you get. You will never have to play guessing games in your friendship.

They make you a better person.

There can be no denying that the human race has impacted the world in some very negative ways. An environmentally conscious friend will teach you how to do your part in maintaining a healthful world. Whether they help you break your littering habit or teach you how to recycle, there can be no denying that your view of the environment and how you play a part in its health will forever be changed.

They introduce you to new things.

Many environmentally conscious people have creative ways to maintain their eco-friendly existence. Some choose to eat only GMO (genetically modified organism)-free food. Others ride their bike everywhere they go. Being friends with them may expose you to new foods and experiences. Who knows, you may even decide you like free-range chicken better!