How Many Friends Are True Friends!

"FRIENDS RE-UNION", has just aired and this makes me think about "friends". How many friends are true friends? I do not believe in keeping the circle small, but I do believe in keeping the circle strong!

I said sorry to a friend and her reply was- “I'm glad you messaged me on your own because I would have never messaged you”

I'm 36 years old and I have a simple mantra- “Live your life to the fullest!”. So, I always had a huge circle of friends. I began my entrepreneurial journey after 15 years of working in the entertainment and media industry. It was a high-paying job.

My birthday parties/music promotion parties/business parties were mega-events, but it was later that I realized that all those people standing by me celebrating the achievements of my life were merely a crowd that gathered for some temporary fun.

From having 100 plus friends to having only 3-4 of them now. I ended up questioning myself- Is the whole concept of friendship too overrated?

We are always told to approach our friends during the tough phases of our lives. To talk it out!

Is that so??

I have had experiences where friends disconnected from me just because I shared my life experiences with them. I opened up to them sharing feelings about when my friends did not stand by me or simply were too busy in their own lives and it seemed as if everyone was too preoccupied to even listen.

Is this what we mean when we say talk to people around you? Is it too much to expect empathy and kindness from people? Is it necessary for us to always be apologetic to egoistic individuals just so that they continue to be a part of our lives?

I think the answer is that a friend would never put you in a state where you have to think all this. If you have friends, they will stand by you through thick and thin.

After years of experience, an honest piece of advice is to let go of people who don’t value you.

The only people who will stay with you through the crests and troughs of your life are your family and a few genuine friends. Of course, I am not considering some random Facebook friends. For those who are young and dream of a lifetime of friendship with a huge group, remember this is just a phase, but true friendships are a journey of togetherness. A journey wherein you will have only 2 or 3 of your buddies who will take the fall for you.

As for mental health-related issues, the advocates that come forward to tell you to practice Ikigai, Reiki, Meditation, literally do not care about you. They are there to promote a cause or preach their ideologies and whatnot! However, blunt it may sound all you need at your worst is a helping hand and a loving heart.

PS: Do not fall for the high lords preaching all sorts of fathoms. Fall for true friends and family!