By: Carley Taylor

It’s so interesting that at a certain age you realize that most people you come into contact with really don’t care about you. These people could in your mind be people you would do anything for, dedicate so much time to, open yourself up to, and know that you would drop anything for. When you’re younger you imagine being surrounded by so many friends who love you so much, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that this idea of loyalty and love is very rare. People might realize that they have no use for you anymore so it’s done like nothing that happened throughout the friendship mattered at all and has zero effect on them. Maybe I’m the only one, but I’ve found that this idea of friendship isn’t attainable unless from a small group that has to truly love who you are with no selfishness being involved.

Turning 22, I noticed that those around me consisted of a very small group: Ashly, my best-friend, who I know without a doubt would do anything for me and me the same, my parents, and my sister and her boyfriend. I didn’t feel weird for only having one friend there instead I felt lucky that I truly found my best-friend and I wasn’t upset that I was spending my day with my parents because they actually made it so special. I also didn’t feel lame that I had succumbed to the “when you’re older you’ll be friends” narrative with my sister because she actually cared about me having a good day even helping me get ready and bringing me coffee. When I turned 21, I was surrounded by friends who aren’t even in my life one year later and going out was honestly kind of disappointing. If younger me knew that this was the case she would’ve been so upset that I never found a huge group of friends who do cool things and take cool pictures, but this birthday with my bestie and family was the best I’ve ever had. Surrounding myself with people who only have my best interest at heart really does feel way better than having “friends” just to have them and we still took cool pictures.

• Ashly’s Posts
• Carley's Posts