As you get older, your group of friends gets smaller. Why? There can be countless factors. Attitude, effort, priorities, distance, etc. You and your friends can overcome some of these factors. Yet, it all starts with being aware of yourself and what you want.

Your vibe attracts your tribe.

Your morals, values, and how you present yourself says a lot about you. Your friends become your friends due to them finding a shared interest in your morals, values, or how you present yourself. Of course, over time, things change to affect friendships.

Every now and then you should take time to reflect and evaluate your life and friendships. Ask yourself if you've been a good friend and if your friends have been a good friend to you.

Are you being negative?

If you're giving a pessimistic vibe, then you may not have too many people wanting to be around you. No one wants to be around a negative Nellie or negative Ned. We all have our good and bad days, but let's not let those bad days linger into bad weeks.

Instead, let's promote positivity.

I can guarantee that you can find at least one thing to be happy about each day. It can be your health, education, well-being, etc. Make a goal for yourself to voice what makes you happy every day.

Are you putting in the effort?

If you're not putting effort into a friendship, chances are, that friendship will crumble like a freshly baked Panera cookie. Now, I get it, we all have our own schedules that can get hectic and busy so you don't have time to contact your tribe every day.

Instead, be there for your friends when you get a chance.

"Liking" their posts on Insta does NOT count as effort nor friendship.

If anything, that just makes you an acquaintance in their life. Reach out to them, give them a call, shoot them a text, or even make plans with them. You don't have to physically be there to be a friend that cares.

Are you a supportive friend?

If you're giving off unsupportive vibes, then people may limit what they choose to share with you or they may even detach themselves from you altogether.

Instead, let's be supportive of each other's successes and victories.

If a friend gets into a new relationship, be supportive! If a friend is doing well in school, be supportive! If a friend gets a new job, be supportive! If a friend gets a promotion, you know what to do, be supportive! It's really not that hard. Don't be envious of a friend's happiness or success. Envy doesn't look pretty on anyone. Maybe you hit a roadblock in life, but that doesn't mean it's a perpetual roadblock. Keep moving forward with positive thoughts and a happy heart!

Now, as you continue to reflect and evaluate your life and friendships, know that it's okay to cut ties with members of your tribe. Don't feel afraid to cut ties with people just because you've been friends with them for years. If they don't serve to benefit, support, or prioritize you, cut them out.

Respect yourself to know that you deserve better.

The years of being friends with someone doesn't equate to how close you are to them. Don't place a heavy importance on time, place a heavy importance on actions. Who was there and who cares for you?

Don't waste your time trying to salvage a friendship if you're the only one who cares.

Never be friends with someone who considers you an option. You are not someone's last resort. You deserve to exercise your time with people who genuinely care about you. Not those who only keep up with you on social media.

As your friend group gets smaller over time, realize that these people are the ones that are true to their word, just like you should be to them. At the end of the day, you can count on them.

Quality over quantity any day.

But, it all starts with you...