The key to a healthy and fulfilled life may not be in the form of a pill – sometimes it can reside in a person. In every period of life, from childhood and beyond, friendships form the foundations of our well-being. Friendships tend to shape the way we see ourselves, the way we approach challenges, and the way we express and experience joy. While today’s world is moving at a fast pace, and connections tend to get lost in the shadows of convenience, the value of friendship remains constant and genuine. Building and maintaining solid, deep, and meaningful relationships is not only an exciting addition to life, but an essential aspect of living healthy.
As we all know, life tends to never move at a steady pace. Days can be challenging, and others wonderful, but having just one good friend by your side can help you navigate the constant highs and lows of life. A friend is someone who listens judgement free, someone who accepts you unconditionally, and most importantly, someone who stands by you when circumstances can be tough. Having a single conversion with a friend can turn a heavy day that much lighter. Nothing compares to the feeling of a friend cheering you up when you call them in a moment of distress or helplessness.Your nerves are calmed, anxiety is reduced, and even just a little laugh can feel fundamental when a moment feels so dark.
I asked 10 of my fellow sophomores, “When you need someone to talk to, what do you do?”
An outstanding nine of them said they call, text, or see a friend.
While friendships are beautiful in the way they bring a sense of comfort, they are equally as responsible for helping us grow. Some of our closest friends challenge us in ways we don’t even challenge ourselves. Friendships encourage us to try new things, take risks, to think in new ways, and to step outside of our comfort zones. While getting into a fight with your friend may seem like the end of the world, these little disagreements make us better at navigating and resolving conflict. Through our friendships we learn trust, communication, and patience.
Think back to Kindergarten. You and your best bud both want to play with blocks but there’s only enough for one of you to play. After a few moments of arguing go by, you come to the agreement to simply take turns playing with the blocks. This small scenario represents one of many instances where friends can help you become a better problem solver and communicator. Though we’ve moved far past the kindergarten classroom, the skills we’ve learned in those scenarios have stuck, even if we don’t even notice.
Though friendships are great in the way that they challenge us, they also help us feel secure and solidified, especially in times of change. Building friendships is almost like building your own community. These communities reflect our values, interests, and humor. Whether it’s starting a new school, moving away, or just beginning a difficult phase, having people that truly know you both inside and out can provide stability in our hectic lives. Friends help remind us who we are in moments where we may forget.
Friends tend to be woven into our memories and stories. The people that we grow close to are constantly leaving reminders of their presence in our lives. Friendships can pop in places we don’t expect or intend. At any given moment a painting, smell, or even a simple saying can remind you of a friend.
Every time I visit my great grandmother’s house, I notice this intricately cross-stitched picture of a village sitting on her mantle. The picture depicts horses and buggies in a village, and in an old-timey font in the middle of the woven design, it says “The road to a friend’s house is never long.” While the horses and buggies heavily age this picture, the message is timeless. In other words, don’t use distance as an excuse! If someone is important to you, make the effort to see them as much as you can. It could be a train ride, a road trip, or if you’re lucky, right across the street.
Ultimately, building and keeping strong friendships isn’t just important, but essential to maintaining a fulfilling life. These relationships enrich us, support us, and connect us to others in an incomparable way. When we put time and effort into relationships that matter, we strengthen meaningful bonds, and our own senses of purpose and belonging.
So go call your friend! I’m sure they would love to hear from you.
