As we grow older and mature, friendships and relationships we think would be permanent turn out to be fleeting, temporary and fragile. Something or someone to think about from time to time.
Let's start easy, During our teenage years, when we were in school. There were those people we spoke to, considered them the best of the best, people we thought we couldn't live without or breathe without. We tagged them our friends. How about that girl or boy you couldn't stop thinking about. Your childhood crush. You probably wondered how they could be so pretty or handsome or so intelligent. Even if you couldn't talk to them, it was okay to admire from afar. None of us understood those feelings but they were ours to have, ours to process and ours to keep .
Fast forward to graduation. You are at home now, probably trying to gain admission. You and your friend had probably planned to go to the same university/ college, probably even applied together. Some people are lucky enough that they actually get into the same college together. What about those that aren't so lucky. You feel bad, crushed even but you still promise to keep in touch with your friend, see each other from time to time. Different paths, different destinations but you still want to hold on to what matters.
Fast forward to when you start college. Different schedules, Different hostels, Different standards, probably even different fields of study. Classes begin, Assessment begins, you are assigned to groups and project topics are given. Your hands are full with assignments and so is your mind .
You're trying to juggle all of it while still keeping the friendship or relationship you promised not to end.
Along the line, It's impossible to remain on your own. You make a new friend, probably from the same field, You vibe pretty well and you get closer. What about the other friendship you were trying to keep?. Guilt sets in. Texts become dryer, calls less frequent. You drift away .
You both have different paths. You're destined to meet other people in life and your priorities are bound to change .
Guilt and jealousy for finding a new friend sets in and you wonder if they found someone too. No one wants to bring it up or talk about it. You both agree it's better to face your paths.
You promise to look out for each other but deep down you know that might be the end.
You are not going to remain the same person. College is bound to change you. Being in a different environment with different people influences you physically, socially emotionally and religiously even.
Your mindset and interests develop and you have new goals to achieve .
Not all friendships or relationships are bound to end that way
They are the lucky ones whose ties run deeper and are able to maintain the relationship even from miles.
Now those are the ties that matter . Those fleeting interactions no matter how brief have importance and meaning and end up leaving a positive impact.
Brief encounters offer deep and meaningful moments of connection, understanding, support and growth.They become real relationships and friendships when you put in effort, time, commitment, focus and love.
Understand that growth and change is imminent so it's important to nurture and hold on to those brief encounters relationships in the hope that they become something deep and meaningful.
Such deep relationships ultimately leave our lives with a stronger sense of purpose and belonging rather than a brief one which would leave you isolated, unsupported and unstable .