Struggling to fit in? Nothing is wrong with you!
One valuable thing I learned at 20 is that people come and go but true friends stay. You don’t need to bend over backwards to make people like you and you certainly don’t have to give unappreciative people any effort.
You are valuable and someone will see that and stick around! I admittedly have an issue around friend groups, closed off friendships are toxic but inviting warm friendships are healthy.
Don’t stick around to get wrapped up in an unhealthy friend group, it will steal years away from you. If you feel unconfident in finding the right people for you, I recommend these things:
- Ask yourself the questions I have stated above (in the pictures)
- Can you stick it out alone until then?
⚠️Important:
- Change your mindset on friendship
Friends SHOULD NOT have a function for every situation. What do I mean? If you find yourself saying, “I have a school friend”, “I have a friend who I take pictures with” , “I only hangout with her/him at (blank)…
…🙂↔️✋ That’s an issue
A friend who only serves one purpose at your convenience is a friendly acquaintance with a function. You are using them. The sooner you raise your standards of friendship, you will have then cracked the code.
I wish you the endless happiness in fulfilling true friendships. Give yourself grace and time to process, debrief, and learn what you do and don’t expect from someone. In a word: Standards. #friendship #connection #inpersonconnections #have genuine friendships
Hey everyone! Building on my last post about finding your true tribe, I wanted to dive deeper into practical ways to really cultivate those warm, genuine friendships we all crave, and how to navigate social interactions with confidence. It's not just about fitting in, but about finding where you truly belong. When we talk about 'social etiquette,' it often sounds like a list of strict rules. But for me, it’s evolved into something more about authentic connection and respecting yourself and others. I've learned that true etiquette isn't about being 'polite' to everyone, especially if they disrespect you. It's about knowing your worth and acting from a place of genuine care, not fear of judgment. For instance, I used to feel anxious about social gatherings, always worried about saying the wrong thing. But I realized, as one of my picture quotes says, 'IS BEING ANXIOUS BETTER THAN BEING ALONE?' Sometimes, being alone and reflecting is better than forcing interactions that drain you. My advice? Start by being a good listener. People love to feel heard. Instead of planning your next reply, really absorb what they're saying. And remember to 'FIND THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD, PLAiN & SiMPLE.' This simple act changed my social life. So, how do we actually build those 'warm friendships'? It goes beyond just liking someone. For me, it starts with shared values. I always ask myself, 'DO THEY SHARE THE SAME VALUES AS YOU?' If someone gossips about their other friends (as another quote in my post asks, 'DO THEY GOSSIP ABOUT THEiR FRiENDS?'), that's a huge red flag for me. True warmth comes from trust and knowing that person has your back. It's about consistent 'Upliftment & GR·W Helping you. A friend should be doing this at the bare MINIMUM.' A real friend cheers you on, challenges you gently, and grows with you. I've found that vulnerability is key – sharing your true self, not just the curated version. And critically, observe 'HOW DO THEY TREAT YOU in SOCIAL SETTINGS?' Do they include you? Do they make you feel valued? If not, it might be time to re-evaluate. It’s hard, but having 'CONFIDENCE IN YOUR SELF WORTH' means you deserve friends who genuinely appreciate you. Don’t settle for merely functional acquaintances when you can nurture deep, meaningful connections. Ultimately, it’s about learning 'How well you can make good friends' by being a good friend yourself, and continuously asking 'Do you value your self worth?' Building these friendships takes time and effort, but the joy and support they bring are absolutely priceless. Keep setting those standards, trust your gut, and your tribe will find you!
