A New Reality

Is this the norm we now live in? It amazes me just how hard it is to maintain meaningful connections, particularly in today’s social media landscape. Beyond the superficial exchanges of likes, comments, and emojis, I yearn for authentic conversations with people in real life.

I miss the ability to interpret emotions through facial expressions. When was the last time you truly felt someone's essence through an emoji?

The Resilience of Friendships

Elisabeth Foley once remarked, “The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” However, I often question how much distance a friendship can endure before it shifts from "he is my friend" to "he was my friend."

Friendships thrive on sharing—be it ideas, debates, humor, or silly moments. If sharing dwindles, can we genuinely still call ourselves friends?

Friendship as an Investment

A few years ago, the United Nations released a report assessing which cultures are better at nurturing friendships. The United States ranked favorably, while Portugal fared poorly. This stood out to me as an American residing in Portugal.

Regrettably, I can no longer locate that U.N. report, nor can I recall the reasons they cited for the decline of friendships. However, I suspect that our busy lives and excessive reliance on superficial social media interactions play significant roles.

Building genuine relationships requires a deeper investment than mere screen interactions.

Self-Reflection on Friendship

As I reflected on my habits, it became evident that I often engage in fleeting friendships. I tend to send quick messages instead of making time for lengthy calls. I often check Facebook for updates before conversing with friends, as I’m too caught up in my own busy life.

While I could attribute my struggle to modern life's demands, I suspect the issue lies within me.

Taking Steps Towards Improvement

It’s high time for change. If you relate to my experience, the idea of carving out time for another friendship may seem daunting. Yet, true friendships shouldn't be seen as optional; they should be integral to our lives.

Maybe it’s time to prioritize these relationships and make room for deeper connections. While Foley noted that friendships can endure over time and distance, I doubt she would advocate for distant friendships as ideal.

What about you? How have you navigated relationships with distant friends? What strategies do you recommend to prevent drifting apart from those you once cherished?

This video, titled "Why Traumatized People Struggle With Friendships (and How You Can Heal)," delves into the complexities surrounding friendships affected by trauma. It offers insight into healing and rebuilding connections.

In this video, "Why Losing Friends is Normal...", the discussion centers around the natural ebb and flow of friendships throughout life, emphasizing that losing friends can be part of personal growth.