Never Take Your Friends For Granted
4 years ago I made this mistake. Luckily, they received me with open arms despite everything I did for them.
Due to struggling with depression and being in a toxic relationship, I isolated myself from my friends.
I stopped being with them, barely replied to messages, and even avoided their calls. I became a myth to them.
It came to the point where I started to openly lie to them. I was coming up with ridiculous excuses just to not be with them — from money problems to health issues.
I found myself in a vicious cycle and was lacking the courage to acknowledge that I was doing wrong by them.
“They are my friends. They must understand, right?”
I tried to convince myself of this far too many times. It only sent me further into depression.
The rupture point was when I missed my best friend’s son's baby shower.
I engulfed myself in such a big lie that took me a while to forgive myself. I told him I couldn’t go because I was already going to the marriage of another friend.
Guess what. I didn’t go to the wedding either.
Fast forward a month, I was already out of the relationship and it was time to take accountability.
I texted my friend who got married and met him the day after. Nothing was said, only a hug — a heartwarming hug that set everything.
The next day went to meet my best friend. He however had a lot to say, but only after letting me cry on his shoulder.
Resuming what he said in kind words: We all need friends. Even the one person you love the most can’t feed all your social and emotional needs alone.
“They actually understand…”
They knew I was not well and even after 3 years, they welcomed me back like I just had left for 2 days.
It was then I decided to be open about my mental health. They supported me through and through when I said I was going to seek professional help.
Fast forward to today and we laugh at the past, together.
I am never taking them for granted ever.
Inspired by a fellow creator, I decided to challenge myself to publish 100 short-form articles within January. This is article number 54.
