
***This blog post is based on my opinion, thoughts, and thinking.
A long-lasting friendship is a relationship worth looking after. It deserves to be nurtured and cared for.
Sure, it’s normal to find yourself going through periods of busyness or feeling a little distant… But the important thing is that you don’t let those things get in the way of what matters.
If it’s true that your friends are the ones who keep you grounded, then you should take care of them.
I’m not talking about long-term friendships that have existed for years (years!) and would be classified as eternal. I’m talking about the types of friendships that have lasted well beyond the time they were supposed to last.
I am talking about solid relationships… That lasts through good times and bad, without ever falling apart. That remains solid even when both friendship group members go off in different directions…
I am talking about the relationships that stay solid, no matter how nasty or superficial some of their peers may be.
The kinds of relationships that are so stable that you don’t need to keep in touch with them go on without fail, long after you’ve both finished university.
I am talking about the relationships that last when everyone else has fallen apart. That continues through all the ups and downs of your post-school years and carries on with you long after you’ve stopped living in your neighborhood.
So, why are these relationships so important? Why do they count as friendship goals to aim toward?
Well, it’s because long-lasting friendships represent one of the most stable kinds of friendship — and they’re one of the only ones that can keep going when everyone else in your social circle has drifted apart.
It’s not that you should expect any particular kind of stability from your friendships.
It’s normal for the people you spend time with regularly to change as you grow up, go through periods of sadness or busyness, or just be slightly distant.
But what you should aim to find is a friendship that comes back after you’ve missed it. That goes on when you need it the most.
Friends are the most important thing in life.
A friend who lasts long after you’ve stopped being friends with everyone else in your local area. A friend who stays by your side no matter how long it has been since your last conversation and the last time they saw you.
A person who holds in all times of need and whose loyalty never wanes. A person who will always be there for you, no matter what the circumstances.
And if you’re still not sure about the importance of great friendships, then consider this: people who share this type of friendship are much more likely to form lasting and meaningful relationships post-school.
So if you’ve been hoping for a long-lasting relationship that lasts beyond your university years, then you should be aiming to make close friends with those who have
“Friendship is like peeing your pants — everybody can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.” — Unknown
Of course, not all friendships are going to last forever. But if you want your close relationships to last beyond the short period that you’ve planned for them, then you must work on nurturing them now.
Because at some point in the future, they’ll be one of the only things holding your life together…
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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You may also like these posts on The Good Men Project:
White Fragility: Talking to White People About Racism |
Escape the “Act Like a Man” Box |
The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer |
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Photo credit: Ben White on Unsplash
White Fragility: Talking to White People About Racism
Escape the “Act Like a Man” Box
The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer
