The thing about having friends for a very long time is that you get to see each other in different phases.

There are those that grow together through life events, and those that grow apart, sometimes for the same reasons. And with both sides, they the chances that either completely sever ties, or downgrade the friendships to being acquaintances. That way there’s less expectations on how you show up for each other.

I have noticed these things even before starting my mental health journey. While never putting it into words, it was always there. One that I know was due to social and political differences that bled into personal matters. Another had to stay gone because they were just a shifty person.

And as I have started this personal inner growth journey, the ones that have quietly downgraded to an acquaintance surely have seen me doing this with no chance of stopping. Often in the form of photos and videos, often ones I make, that are tied to these topics.

Some of them I know are going through it themselves, making similar discoveries as I have about the inspirations of their old behaviors, and that’s great. At times a few of us have actually had conversations about our discoveries, often finding deep parallels.

That’s why I find myself continuing the journey. Some of us may have limited access to people that they can talk to outside of professionals, through shared experiences or what reminds them how they’ve never been alone. How I’ve never been alone either.

Even if we’ve grown apart or become closer throughout this time, I do my best to let them know that they are not only important to themselves, onut they’re important to me, too.

No matter how little or frequent our interactions are, know that I am rooting for any form of healing you’re going through. Don’t forget to cheer for yourself, above anyone else.

D.F