They Are Not Your Friends...

Your friends can tell you a lot about your future. If you're trying to get your life together, being around friends who are distractions can actually help you achieve that goal - because they'll keep you from focusing on what's important. Two concepts that many people aspire to are success and personal growth, but what shapes do you think define our lives? It's the company we keep, from the great minds like Jim Rohn or Provincetown. Many of us have been told the importance of choosing friends wisely, and James Clear from The Atomic Habit says it's important to identify which aspects of our culture set expectations for "normal." As a teenager, I had a large circle of friends who would do all kinds of crazy things with me. We had fun and didn't really have any responsibilities - until life changed.

I noticed a shift in my relationships my friends who were still happily enjoying their carefree lives couldn't relate to my newfound focus on personal growth and development. My desire here for deep, meaningful conversations was at odds with their inclination for shallow chit chat party banter. Their interests lay in parties and hookups, where I found solace in books and self-education. The divide widened as I found myself increasingly unable to engage with them on a level that was meaningful to me and slowly, I found myself withdrawing from my circle of friends. They too started to withdraw from their circle of friends.

I noticed my absence and realized I was no longer being invited. This made me feel lonely. But with loneliness came self-realization. I learned that real friends are not those who want to see you stay stagnant so they can feel comfortable. Real friends are the ones who motivate, inspire, and challenge you to become the best version of yourself. They are your teammates in the journey of life. When life throws curveballs at you, they stand by your side. Real friends don't want you to remain stagnant just so they can stay in their comfort zones. They don't cheer for your failures or watch silently as you drown in self-doubt. This understanding shook me to my core. It made me realize that if I wanted to be surrounded by inspiring and loving friends, I needed to become that person myself. This change needed to start with me. In today's digital world, we are more connected yet more isolated than ever before. It is common to hear about toxic friendships and see discussions about this issue on social media platforms.

With all the commotion and criticism Emma brings, we frequently forget to portray ourselves as a great friend.

Traditional genuine friendships involve more than just common interests or regular hangouts; they involve showing genuine interest in other people's lives, making an effort to understand their feelings and sentiments, making them feel heard, and providing support. Additionally, when it's uncomfortable, it requires a degree of generosity that is occasionally difficult but always rewarding. On my vacation, I chose to be the one to make the first move. I made the leap. I first awakened my spirit by extending my hands and the results have been astounding.

Cheerleaders You have the power to inspire, support, and love. Use it to watch as your life fills with the kind of friendships that nurture your soul and push you to grow. Now let's delve into something fundamentally essential, which is our environment. Much like the water determines how a fish swims and survives, the people we surround ourselves with have a huge impact on how we feel, think, and act.

Contrast this with your group of friends who are relentless in their pursuit of self-improvement to see how this is not the environment that fosters growth and success.

Take control of your environment by choosing to surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and help you grow because you are the architect of your environment. These are people who push themselves to constantly learn, evolve, and push their boundaries. When you surround yourself with such people, their drive and ambition will rub off on you, inspiring you to do the same.