I have been in a lot of discussions about friendships lately.  From clients to family members to even coworkers, interactions with friends have been a hot topic.  Some were extremely thankful for the people in their lives while others expressed frustration and disappointment over their social circle.  I get it.  Friendships can get complicated.  Life takes us through so many different seasons and when things get tough, a lot of times our friendships are the first thing to suffer.  Friendships are a crucial part of our health and wellness journey, so it is important to check in regularly to make sure they are mutually beneficial.

When was the last time you took time to perform inventory of your “friends list” in real life?  There are no perfect people, so our friendships won’t be perfect…but they need to be worth it.  The people in your life should inspire you to reach your goals, provide a safe space for your feelings and emotions, give honest and constructive feedback when asked as well as encouragement when needed.  I don’t know about you, but when I think back on tough times, I usually have a story about how a friend helped me get through them.

I want to encourage you to do a “Support System Sweep!”  Do you feel better or worse after being around your friends?  Do your friends push you closer to your goals or further away?  When you see their name pop up on your phone, do you light up or feel a sense of doom?  Self-reflection is another important part of our overall wellness, and we must make sure we are fulfilling our roles in the support systems of the people we love.  The word “friend” is thrown around so loosely but should be handled with care and held tightly.  You seriously have a friend in me and I’m here if you need me.