The cool thing about having the opportunity to branch out through school, work, or everyday encounters is that you are exposed to new people. As time has passed you also gain a clearer view of the people you want in your life, the ones that are here to stay and the ones that are fair weather friends. Those surface level relationships are not bad by any means and the outgrown relationships are not a reflection of a failed relationship is it simply a reflection of the person that you have become. I like to think about it as training wheels that are necessary while growing but it is natural to shed the at some point. Soon you will look to your left and to your right and see the people around you who have reached the same level that you have reached

As you set goals and endlessly pursue your passions, you grow closer and closer to people who have the same values and interests as you. It may seem sad that some of your relationships with people fall flat but in the larger picture, it is not. I repeat for the folks in the back, it is not a bad thing to outgrow relationships. That means that you have trimmed a little bit of the fat so that you can feed yourself something healthy. We constantly change as we move toward adulthood and the support system around become the people who are the truest form of them. The most genuine of relationships.

Those deep connections with people all derive from a sense of authenticity that can't be disguised as anything else. It is such a valued trait to be honest with the people around you through thoughts, words, and actions. I would rather face the harsh truth than a beautifully constructed lie. My past self might not always agree with that but as I get older I find that I have less time, energy, or honestly desire to entertain those friendships that bring minimal benefits to my life. I don't believe that is a bad thing and it definitely doesn’t mean I am allowed to treat people poorly. It simply means that everything that I do has a purpose. Not only am I being true to who I am, I am being so intentional towards the people that surround me. At the end of the day, it is what I want from others and the best gift you can be to anyone: being genuine.