A few years ago, I would have answered this prompt differently; I would have spoken from a place of pain and rage but today, the story is different, and I can say I have learnt a lot over the years.
Again, have you ever changed towards your friends or other people after getting a position or an amount of money? What prompted the change? It may be due to busy schedule or they no more think in the same direction as you. All the same, share with us.
I always tell people, never say never, never feel like it can never be you, because IT CAN BE YOU and there's nothing you can do about it.
I’m gonna digress a little bit.
A friend of mine advised me on two important topics and she gave strong reasons why I should follow her advice. According to her, she would have done the exact thing if she were in my shoes. A few months later, the two issues she advised me came staring at her in the face, hers was even more complicated than mine, and I waited patiently to see how she would handle it because it was "her" turn now.
Back to the prompt of the week. A few years ago, I had issues with my busy friends and family members. I hated how they went all MIA when I needed them, I didn’t try to hide how pissed and disappointed I was whenever they reached out. In my head, they were purposely "forming busy," and I hated the fact that it made me look like the jobless one that was always available despite having a job.
Today, the tables have turned, and I am currently the busy bee. Now, people complain about how I am always unavailable and don’t seem to care about them. I think karma is rubbing everything in my face and having a good laugh.
Every single time I think about how I treated my busy friends back then, I feel so bad. I keep imagining how they must have felt when I kept whining nonstop and how they had to send never-ending epistles apologizing for their shortcomings. I wish I could go back and take back all the hurtful things I said to them.
If you've read to this point, one thing I need you to take home with you is this popular quote: "With great power, comes great responsibility."
The moment you attain a new position, a lot of things will definitely change. If the position is demanding, best believe your friendship and relationship with people will be affected. You can do your best to hold it together, but there will definitely be a shift, not because you feel you’ve arrived or have more money, but because the situation has truly changed.
Things can spiral to a point where you almost lose your mind.
When people say they are busy most of them are genuinely busy. As an adult, a lot is happening, and they are happening simultaneously with no warning, no break, no manual, just in your face, and it’s overwhelming.
When life gets overwhelming, the last thing on some people's minds is going through their phones or showing up at your doorstep.
I know it hurts not being able to talk to your friend as often as you guys did, I know the shift is affecting your friendship, but I’m pleading that you give your friend some grace.
Yes, no one is too busy for people they love. Yes, people should learn to prioritize important people. Yes everyone has time, etcetera, etcetera.
I am not disputing this; all I am saying is, cut them some slack.
You've all been together for a while, and this change might not be what you anticipated, but rather than throw everything away, give them grace and try to be understanding too. It's not easy, but friendship isn't always about the good days. The bad days might shake you, but your ability to push through is what makes the friendship stronger.
This post is advocating for the good friends who are busy, not the bad ones, so please don’t get it twisted.
Most of these people are genuinely sorry for the strain in their relationship with their favourite people, and having people who cut them some slack will be very much appreciated.
So, give your busy friends some grace. They love you, and they think about you in the most random and cute moments, but communicating can sometimes be pretty difficult, and they are not proud of it.
All images are mine except otherwise stated.
Thanks for stopping
Loads of Love🥰🥰
XOXO