When you think of the term "strong friend", you typically think about maybe one or two specific people in your life. They appear to be very confident in themselves, give the best hugs, offer endless encouragement, and serve as a shoulder to cry on. These friends are some of the most important people on earth due to their sense of understanding and positivity. Maybe you depend on this person immensely, or maybe you are that person.
Not to sound conceited, but I am that person for a lot of my friends. I love being the strong friend, but it is a large responsibility. I always ask "How are you doing?", "how was your test?", "how are you feeling after the breakup?", and other questions of the sort. I pride myself on my positivity and trustworthiness. Sadly, I am usually too focused on other people to truly stay in tact with my own feelings.
This past summer, I went through a lot. From college anxiety, to issues with a boy, and drama at my job. I kept most of my problems to myself. Sometimes I would block out a time to go lay in my bed and cry. I felt alone. Even though I had incredible friends around me, I kept to myself because I did not want to be a burden.
I was supposed to be the "strong friend", so how could I look weak?
That is when I started to realize that most people only really knew me from the surface, from the positive persona I put on. One of my best friends and I got really close over the summer, and I ended up learning so much from her. She was open to talking about her experiences in order to help others. She was a different type of "strong friend".
It's okay not to be okay.
It is okay to go through things. Sharing your struggles is okay. We are all human, aren't we? If anything, we grow from hard times. It's true what they say - no rain, no flowers.
Shoot that friend of yours a call, a text, a prayer, or a letter. Let them know that you see them despite the difficulties they might be facing. I promise you, they will thank you for it!
