NURTURING FRIENDSHIP

Photo by AI

Who is a friend? Do you have a friend or friends? Many people get stuck and wonder if they have friends but have you ever asked yourself the kind of a friend you are to that friend of yours? Sometimes we die in isolation wondering if anybody really cares, Sometimes we fight the silent battles because we don't really know whom to share with and sometimes we feel so overwhelmed and drained because we are the only ones charging the friendship. Sometimes we feel emptiness when there is no help from friends when we need them the most. It is through these encounters that we realize the power of nurturing friendship.

Nowadays people are so fast at burning bridges, judging friends without listening to hear their side of the story. We cut off people in our lives without giving explanations and feel so insecure about their wins. We've made friendship about competition rather than support.

Personally I'm one person who will always support her friends, for those who have interacted with me closely would know that. It's not because I feel obligated but because I feel that's what friends are for. I always want to be among the first customers when a friend starts a business, I am very quick at giving referrals for friends and finding that solution for them incase they need it.

We keep friends for positive impact and 'value addition', I mean what's the need of having friends if they can't charge you. You can never drink from an empty cup. But one thing that I have learnt in life is that never have high expectations on friendships, it can break your heart, it can be overwhelming, frustrating and if it interferes with your mental health, giving you anxieties, then it's no longer friendship. Friendship is not an obligation but own decision. As much as we don't put in much expectations, we need friends, I mean no man is an Island. So how can we nurture friendship, how do we build that bond and support each other, how do we ensure growth and we thrive together as friends. 

Be present. By presence I mean emotionally present, pay attention to your friends and be intentional about the friendship, send that message to check up on your friends, make that call once in a while and let them know you care.

Support you friends. Celebrate their wins without jealousy, this also opens up ways for you. When you clap for them, it helps you recharge and prepares your mind for wins. Be their safe space during those had times, take it from me, it is really hard when you are undergoing through aset back and no one to land on, it's so dark!

Give without expecting. As I said earlier, lower your expectations but be kind. An act of kindness strengthens the bond weather it's giving your time or something, give generously without expecting any transaction.

Be consistent. Nurturing friendship is about consistency, if today you are there, will you be there tomorrow. Always show up for your friends, if you can't be there physically, reach out through phone call or messages. Consistency builds trust because through that we create a support system for our friends.

Grow together as friends. Support each others' visions, support each other dreams and ambitions. Share experiences and let your friendship evolve overtime.

Gratitude. Never take your friends for granted, let them know they matter and thank them for their time and support, let them feel you care.

In a world where there is so much chaos and darkness, where so many people are broken, silently battling depression and feeling stuck, we need friends we can count on, we need to be the support systems, the soft landings, we need to charge to be charged, we need to thrive together, and that's the power of nurturing friendship.