The Beautiful Process of Out Growing Friendships
Having a friend is one the first things that we learn growing up. Whether you had a sibling in your household, a favorite play mate or made your companion up in your mind, the idea of friendship has always been present in our lives. While TV shows and movies from our younger years show the importance of maintaining friendships and being the best bud you can be, the inevitable out growing of certain situations is often over looked. I’m a firm believer that everyone is brought into your life for a reason, good or bad. Some reasons last a lifetime while the lessons of others are the only thing worth holding on to. Here lays the beautiful process of out growing friendships.
Interest Change
One of the first things that we notice when we are out growing a friendship is a shift in interest. Usually the start of any relationship is a common interest in music, style, sense of humor or goals. Once interest change you will start to feel that you argue more than you uplift and the feeling of being misunderstood sets in. I’m not saying that all friendships are made up of identical personalities. Sometimes friends that can agree to disagree learn from one another and are often inspired. It’s the people in your life who are too immature or too self-centered to handle the challenge of loving the new you. These are the individuals you have to let go in order to be yourself without feeling afraid to make someone uncomfortable.
Evolving into a Mermaid
As we grow and progress, more than just our simple interest start to change. Sometimes it’s our priorities, our idea of a good time and/or our faith and beliefs. These are the big characteristic traits that ultimately shape who we are. A friend saying that they no longer like a particular artist from your youth or no longer wants to watch a tv show you guys may have binged together can be overlooked and worked with. But having someone not respect your time or opinions becomes a deeper problem. This can sometimes be jealousy. Someone believing you think you are superior because you changed for the better or are accomplishing goals which leaves you with less time to hang like you once did; will never be okay with you evolving. These shifts in life will ultimately take a toll on old friendship. This turns into making new friends and laying foundations for a new life.
Sweet Memories & Lessons
Memories of friendships that have faded away don’t have to always be sad. Sometimes having sweet memories to reflect on are inspiring and helpful. Maybe you have a new bestie, but you learned the fundamentals of love and friendship from somewhere else. As I mentioned, realizing that someone was more of a lesson than a permeant physical part of your life is a true sign of growth and understanding. As human beings we grow every second. Weather you grow apart or grow closer is depending on the person and the point you’re at in your life. There is a maturity and wisdom in thinking of someone and smiling because they taught you something special. Knowing that you cant be with them in the capacity you once were, but still loving them from a distance.
The Boomerang Theory
Time heals all wounds and journeys teach lessons. There are moments in our lives where we will find ourselves floating around and drifting away from where we once sat comfortably in life. This is okay, because we often are looking for something when we begin to change. That doesn’t mean the charge or destination we find is our forever place. This tells us there is always a possibility to go back to what once was. You could easily find yourself back in a friendship that ended long ago. Don’t give blame and don’t judge. Let what will be…be. The new version of yourself may be what was needed to inspire a fresh friendship with a old pal.
