In my last entry, I mentioned that I had gotten to see some old friends on a road trip. After seeing these friends I felt recharged in a way, but I also realized how much I missed them. It is yet another instance where I have been thinking a lot about friendships lately, and I am starting to feel like I have been taking my friendships for granted.
When I look at my life today, I have realized that friendships are pretty low on the list. Some of it might be understandable when looking at all of our other responsibilities, but I truly believe that friendships are still very important no matter what age you are. Friendships can provide a lot of positive benefits and meaning to our lives, and it can help protect us against the isolation that so many people experience.
For people living with depression, friendships can be a vital part of support and the road to recovery. Friendships connect us with people who care about your health and path to wellness, and friends accept you and understand that you are not your depression. Sometimes, friends may also be more helpful than family when it comes to facing a depression.
As I think back to my story, I know I want to work harder to maintain the friendships that are important to me. How am I going to do that? Well, that is the part I am not really sure about right now. I envision scheduling check-ins with friends on my calendar, but we will see if I have any other ideas come up. Regardless of how I do it, I’m excited to realize that this is an area of my life that needs more attention, and I look forward to enriching and improving my life with deeper friendships.