Throughout our lives, we have friends who come and go and a lot of the time we don't really understand why. However, even though they leave, we get to learn more about ourselves and about what kind of people we want to keep in our lives. I have moved around a lot growing up and this makes it easy to have many friends come and go, but it helped me grow and I couldn't be more grateful for those memories I had with them.
Here are some of what I feel is important and what I've learned about my friendships...
1. Time doesn't matter
You don't have to know them for long to be friends. You might've just met them and for some reason, you just click right away or it takes a while for you to get used to each other. Either way works with friends, you become close. You share secrets and memories where you start having inside jokes or laugh uncontrollably for no reason whenever you look at each other.
2. Just be yourself
Having friends is great! They are the ones who don't care how stupid or crazy you act, they're there to act stupid and crazy right along with you. They love you for who you are no matter what!
3. Past doesn't matter
They don't care about your past. That might sound harsh, let me explain. They do care because its what made you who you are. But they won't be scared because of it they want to know your past so they know what scares you and what moves you.
4. Time is priceless
Time with your friends is always a blast, no can argue with that. Everyone hangs out, picture taken, laugh, cry anything turns into a memory you don't want to forget and will remember forever. Songs you listen to will become something so much more. If you aren't with that friend while listening to it, later on, it'll bring you back to that one hang out.
5. Family instantly
The crazy thing about friends is that the longer you hang out and spend time getting to know each other they slowly become family. They become more important to you than you originally anticipated. Sometimes it takes a while and other times its automatic.
6. It can't be forced
Like any kind of relationship you have with others, you should never force a likeness. They will either like you for you or they won't like you for you. People tend to like those who are like them but a lot more people like people who are different.
7. Unexpected
The best friendships I've had and have are the ones I was never expecting or looking for honestly. I feel these are the best kind. They come into your life when you need them most, even if you don't know it yourself.
8. Turn on you in a heartbeat
It doesn't matter how long you've known them or how long your friendship with them was. There comes a time when they feel is the time they no longer want to be friends with you. Sometimes they tell you straight out that you've grown apart and other times they just turn into your enemy. They just turn on you in the worse way and a lot of the time you don't know why just that it happened and you have to move on. Even though it hurts.
9. It's the simple little things
With friends, it never matters what you do. You can say you want to hang out and sometimes that means going out or just staying in and doing nothing but watch tv. You are the one they go to for advice or just when they need to sit in silence.
10. Friends should make you feel included, not secluded
If you have a friend, or anyone in your life really, you should always include them if they are truly important to you. Include them on plans to go out, if you get a boyfriend/girlfriend you should never leave them behind. Yes, it's good that you spend time with your S.O. but you should still hang out with friends. Include your S.O. in hangouts with your friends, it'll be a great way for everyone to get to know each other. Who knows maybe they'll become friends too.
11. Differences are great
Everyone is different and with friends that's the best thing about it all. Ever friend group is different from another and each person within that group brings something different in the mix. Everyone has different tastes in; music, movies, TV shows, and so on. This allows the others to experience something new and see if they like it.
No matter what happens friends are forever, even when it doesn't seem like it. You may fight over something stupid, but just remember you can and will overcome that fight and it'll just help you grow closer and have a stronger friendship because of it.
From my past friendships, I'm beyond thankful for the memories I have with them and that I can hold onto them forever. And with my friendships now I am glad you came into my life. I love everyone and I am happy we are all crazy people and that our differences make us stronger but our similarities are even greater.
