One Sentence Away

A heartfelt reminder of the importance of old friendships and of the new connections formed through shared interests.

A familiar voice after many years, an unforgettable joke, remembered birthdays, and forgotten memories resurfacing in the details... The companionship and sincere feelings of another person can breathe new life into us.

I usually focus on specific topics in my writing, but last week I made an exception. This week, I will continue along similar lines.

In my previous article, I reminded you of the importance of letting go of emotional or physical baggage from the past. I was very happy with the feedback I received on this topic and would like to congratulate those of you who have recently undergone this process. I went through this process alongside you. I hope it was a comforting experience for all of you, regardless of the nature of your baggage.

I'm not telling you anything new — I'm simply writing to remind you of what you already know. Because sometimes we all need a reminder. Sometimes, we understand something best when we hear it from someone else. That's why I want to talk to you about friendship this week.

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I have a friend from childhood whom I have known since the age of seven. We played together, learnt together and travelled together for years. It's fair to say that we grew up together. But, as you know, life sometimes brings people's paths to an end.

I don't think we've spoken to this friend in years. It wasn't because we were estranged; rather, we could reach each other at any moment, and this prevented us from doing so. It's a situation where accessibility actually backfires, isn't it?

I sent him a message when I thought of him. I don't particularly enjoy talking on the phone, but when our messaging conversation went on for longer than expected, I suddenly wanted to call him. I missed hearing his voice. The moment he said 'Hello', I was transported back to the days when we used to run around the streets chasing a ball. His voice and the intonation of his sentences hadn't changed at all. Perhaps our brains do this automatically, adopting an attitude determined by the person we're interacting with.

Our friendship has always been like this: no matter how much time passes, whenever we get together, we pick up where we left off. I think that's the magic of some close friendships. I’m sure you have friends like this, too – perhaps you prefer to call them "best friends".

So, if you're reading this, why not give yourself and a friend you haven't seen in a while the chance to catch up? Be the first to send that long-awaited message. It will most likely bring you both sincere joy.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Then there are new friendships — let's talk about those.

As we grow older, we tend to be more selective about who we let into our lives. At least, that's how I feel. Either we don't want to chat with just anyone, or we get bored quickly.

Still, sometimes someone manages to pass through our filters and ignite a spark within us. This always surprises us, as it shows that, no matter our age, we can still form new connections.

Of course, this depends not only on the other person, but also on our own efforts. By its very nature, friendship is a two-way relationship. If it remains one-sided, it will eventually fade away.

Personally, I have friendships that I believe will last, even if these bonds are not that established anymore as we grow older. At least, thinking this way makes me feel good. Is the situation similar for you?

Fortunately, some friendships begin when people come together around shared interests. This creates a structure that provides mutual support and increases the value of sharing, understanding, and empathy.

For me, being part of an online community has been essential in maintaining this process. A lot has changed since people used to ask, "Can you make friends online?" Now, I can see for myself that forming these bonds is possible. Moreover, such interactions are necessary. Some of my friends still feel lonely. This may seem contradictory, but it's understandable — I used to feel that way too.

Yesterday, I met some friends from my online community in person for the first time. Despite living so far apart, it was a special experience to feel so close. Thanks to our year-long online connection, I realised that they were exactly as I had imagined. This shows that we were able to build a beautiful bond together.

With that said, I would like to reiterate the call I made earlier:

If you enjoy writing, reading, commenting and listening, create your own community. Not only will this increase your productivity, it will also strengthen your social connections. This group could consist of people you meet regularly, or you could join an online platform. We continue to enjoy spending time together online and strengthening our friendship. We eagerly await our monthly events and conversations.

If you feel the same way, you can apply to join one of our clubs via the link below and open the door to new friendships. You won't regret taking this step — it's worth a try!