A jam-packed schedule is the enemy for our social time. What's worse is that we pride ourselves on how busy we are. We love to tell people that we can't get together because we are swamped. The reality of life now, is that we are a busy society. We always cram our schedules with activities, work long hours, and then try and have a life somewhere in between!
With all this going on, your friends get put to the bottom of your to-do list and sometimes months go by between your visits. While drifting away from your friends is part of the process, you don’t want to drift so far that you can’t find your way back. A friendship has to be a two way street, and if someone feels like they’re always doing all the work, it’s only a matter of time before they just give up and move on to someone who actually seems interested in hanging out with them. You have to be willing to put the time in to make that happen, or else you’ll just grow apart until your friendship is a distant memory.
We need meaningful connections with other people. Friends encourage you to take better care of yourself. And people with wider social networks are higher in self-esteem, and they feel they have more control over their lives.
Have you ever noticed how good you feel after spending time with your friends? It’s like having a big drink of water after days of being thirsty. You feel happy, understood, and satisfied. Your friends know you and understand what you’re going through; and chances are they have a few stories of their own. When you’re with your friends you can talk about things that you usually tend to keep to yourself. Sharing your challenges with others and the support that your friends give you makes it all feel a lot easier to handle.
We never need to be or feel alone in this world, but it’s up to us to create and allow opportunities to be together, enjoy each other, and be there for each other. It’s up to us to make our relationships priorities.
So, while you’re sitting in that Monday haze, trying to get everything together for the rest of the week, text or email a few of your friends. Or better yet call them! Make plans for coffee or a night in. Pick a weekend to go on an adventure! Do whatever your heart desires. Just take that first step and make the time.
