Do you believe that friends just come and go? That those you consider true friends now would surely go at some point later? That other friends—with more or less the same characteristics, traits or even number—are going to come, so you really don’t have to worry about making new ones?
We lose friends every decade, give or take a couple of years—because we merely move on with our lives. They’re still our friends, sure, but the truth is, we make new ones. We lose even some of our closest friends, for simple reasons like they (or we) move to another city, are too busy, or are just not the type who’d constantly keep in touch.
I found my closest friends in college. Which, I can say, affirms what studies say: College friends usually make the best lifelong friends. Because of reasons like the above, however, I don’t see most of them now.
I only find new friends. And finding new ones is just a part of the cycle.
In any case, a big question surfaces: What should you do to your friends?
The short answer: You go meet them, in person.
Yes, we’re now in the digital age; communication has become so easy. But wouldn’t you agree that in-person interactions are still the best? Why not just go meet them while you can?
Below are three reasons you should go out to meet your friends.
1. Friends can make your life longer.
Many studies show that friends can enhance one’s longevity.
A common theory here is that friends care for one another.
For example, if you see a friend who drinks and smokes too much, you’ll most probably tell them to take it easy as those activities may already damage their health. Even if let’s say, you yourself also drink or smoke, you, or someone else in your circle of friends, would say that it’s indeed already going a bit overboard.
You see, even when circumstances are unpleasant and dangerous, nevertheless a true friend would tell you to stay on the better side. They’d tell you that too much of anything is never good. In one way or another, they’d give you a solid piece of advice.
On the other hand, when that friend quits the above two habits altogether, you and the rest of the friends would see it and chances are high that if you’ve got similar or same bad habits, you’ll consider quitting them, too.
In other words, your friends can make you physically healthier, for the simple reason that they’d care for you, at any rate. That’s how powerful your friends could be, sometimes without you even realizing it.
What’s more, did you know that studies show that cancer patients who have more close friends have higher chances of living longer than those who have less? If that doesn’t amaze you, I’d like to hear what does.
Try it: Have some good friends around—you’ll most likely live longer!
2. Friends are good for your heart and mind.
Friends can generally make you a happier person. They serve as an integral part of your support system, especially when you face challenging times such as traumas, stress or depression.
Surrounding yourself with happy friends tends to increase your own happiness; being with unhappy friends, unfortunately, tends to decrease it.
Treat your friends as a part of yourself. It’s never too late if you haven’t thought of them that way.
Just imagine, the present times have never been busier. People grow their focus more and more on minding their own business. And the truth is, the rate by how many friends we make decreases as we get older.
Having close friends would help you keep up with that inevitable trend. Having friends would push you to live how humans should—by interacting, by being social.
Whether you’re the introvertish or the outgoing type shouldn’t really matter. Real friends will eventually know who you are. They’ll stand above the crowd of strangers and mere acquaintances.
Your friends improve your sense of belonging and purpose. How true it is that birds of the same feather flock together! Not only would you gain a sense of emotional security with friends, but you’d also create opportunities to share your ideas, or visions, with them.
Being able to stand on your own is great—I believe this is a must. But support from friends gives you a different kind of motivation. Friends can help widen your perspective, especially during times when you doubt your skills and capabilities.
Friends are very important that in fact, some studies show that friends can improve our psychological wellbeing more than family can.
3. Your friends need you, too.
The benefits of having friends can’t be denied.
But friendship isn’t a one-way street.
It’s an opportunity for you to take care of the people who matter to you—whether they’re your close friends or loved ones.
Your friends, just like you, are also humans with the same basic needs and wants.
You can think of it this way: Your group of friends is a place you could start manifesting your purpose in life. Your friends are the people you like, admire or share common interests with. That’s why sometimes, even under any conditions—time, busyness or proximity—you still find ways to catch up with them. Sometimes you’re just not bound by conditions like these.
You can’t be happy manifesting your purpose in life with other people if you can’t be happy doing it with your friends. These other people may include workmates, business colleagues, or even strangers in the subway.
Friends—they are a part of you. You may be defined by who your friends are. Take care of them, and you do yourself a huge favor.
Think About It
Friends do keep you alive. They keep you sane. They could be the first people you look for whenever you seek a balance between you and the outside world. In most cases, your friends are a reality check.
On the other hand, friends indirectly tell you to take part in this thing we call life. In the midst of your busy life, accomplishments and even frustrations, your friends help you open your eyes, and remind you of bittersweet realities—but tell you that it’s all okay and that they’re willing to stand by you, anyway.
Your youth may have passed; youth is a great time to find lifelong friends. But I tell you—if, anytime, anywhere, you meet people you can keep because of the above three reasons—keep them. Keep those people. They’re the ones you’d like to share your life with; they’re going to be worth it.
Speak Your Mind
Why would you go out to meet your friends? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!