Sometimes, people move on and they find that they grow apart from people — and that is okay. If someone says that you have changed, take it as a compliment because you are becoming a better you, helping your future, and finding your life long friends. If you have changed, you are most likely bettering yourself rather than negatively impacting your life. Those who tell you this, they, themselves are stuck in the past and do not want to let go.

I am sure that everyone has heard the phrase, "as one door closes, another one opens." If there is one thing that I have learned throughout my 18 years of living it is this saying is completely accurate and needs to be lived by. When a door closes in your life, no matter how hard that door is to close, another one will open allowing better opportunities and people to come into your life. Sometimes it is hard to shut out a section of our life, but when it happens. It allows an individual (including yourself) to grow. Opportunities are constantly and consistently coming into our everyday lives whether we notice it or not.

As an example, I had this best friend and we were inseparable for a long time since the moment we met. But as years passed by, that same friendship that I thought would never come to end, ended. That door closed real fast — however, another door opened and I was presented with healthier and even closer friendships that I am incredibly thankful for. Without that one door closing, I would never have had the opportunity to meet new people to become close with.

Most of the time, people have a hard time when friendships grow apart due to the feeling that your friend or yourself has changed who they are. I am here to say that if your friend is changing, embrace that change and support it- especially if it is a healthy and positive alteration that is being made. If your friend has changed and you two are drifting apart, you may have to let it just happen because some friendships are not always meant to stay solid and strong throughout life. Some friendships are there to end, teach you lessons and actually help you become the person you were also meant to be. Those who leave during your moment of growth help you construct yourself into the person you are meant to be. Now, I want to point out no one 'ever changes' but people can morph themselves into what and who they want to become.

Allowing yourself to grow and become the person you were always meant to be is something that can never hurt you or others around you IF they are meant to stick around in your life. Those who leave or get upset while you are allowing yourself to grow is a door that should be closed no matter how hard it may be. Those people are holding you back from shining and being the best version of yourself. Allow yourself to be happy. This lesson in life is the hardest to tackle because we feel the need to satisfy others rather than ourselves.

Find friendships and surround yourself with those who go through your rough and toughest moment in your life with you. Find friendships and people who want to see you succeed and be happy while you are figuring out who you are and who you want to be. That is golden. That is special. That is real.