We’ve all been there, that awkward situation where you’re caught between who to hang out with, the group of friends that are in all your classes, the friends that live closer to you or the friends that are the epitome of friendship goals. What’s worse is the awkward moment when one friend group is angry that you hang out with another friend group more. But don’t feel bad, or even like you should distance yourself from one or the other, because having more than one friend group can be incredibly beneficial.
Different Personalities
When you’re constantly around the same individuals, you begin to adopt their personalities, their quirks and their approach. Of course this doesn’t change who you are, but it gives you new traits. When you have only the same group of individuals constantly by your side, you never change viewpoints. You never change as a human being, as a friend or as a colleague.
New Ideas
Everyone has a different take on different situations. When you broaden your friend horizons, you get new takes on how to solve a situation that stumps you. Maybe you’re struggling with what to write one of your finals on. One friend will tell you to take the symbolic approach, wow your professor with all the alternative ideas that could have been a part of the final piece you chose to write on. Another might tell you to be cut and dry, point out the logical points that matter and show your professor you know what’s going on. Either way, your final is your final, but the new ideas get the flow going.
Free Therapy
Let’s face it, our friends get the absolute blunt end of our fits and tantrums. When something goes awry, we always run to our friends for a helping hand. With more friends, there are more hands to catch you when you fall.
Interchanging Wardrobe
Maybe this applies to a smaller group of people, but friends means clothing. Their clothing of course but sharing is caring, am I right? Whether it’s for a night out, a dinner with your folks, or just a dire need for socks that are clean, friends often have the threads you’re looking for to make it through the day.
Breaks — Not Fights
Sometimes you just need a breather from a certain few people. It’s not because you aren’t friends anymore or they don’t mean as much to you, but sometimes you value your friendships more when they can withstand a bit of distance. Taking a few days to yourself, or to hang a little closer to other friends, is far better than arguing repeatedly with each other because you’re spending far too much time together. That old saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder” is not meant only for couples. Taking a break from one group of friends allows you to spend more time with another group of friends, thus keeping this relationship close as well.
One Big Family
Chances are, your friends run in the same circles. You all know each other pretty well because more often than not you’ve all hung around together once or twice. There’s not often times where there’s awkward tension because everyone is welcome!
