Friendship is incredibly important in all of our lives. Whether it's a school friend, a college friend, an office friend, or even just random friends, there's one friend we all forget about: ourselves. Making friends with ourselves is the best thing, as it's free of expectations, influence, and problems. The best thing about being friends with yourself is that you'll gain confidence. You'll be able to talk to yourself, and you'll start to feel better about yourself. I've seen many people feel vulnerable and comfortable. This means they automatically question themselves. It's better to befriend yourself. Why is friendship important? It gives you a sense of self-worth: yes, I exist. If no one else stays with me, I can even walk alone. No one else can give you this level of self-worth.
Everyone needs validation these days. Whether it's a like or a comment on Instagram, or someone saying, "You're the best," or "You're great," we feel like we're doing something right. But when no one says anything, we start to doubt and even take it negatively, wondering if we're doing everything right. Am I doing something wrong because no one is giving me that validation, or am I doing everything right? If no one else gives you validation, why wait for anyone? Appreciate yourself. Appreciating yourself means doing what feels good to you. Whatever makes you happy, do it for yourself and for yourself. If you keep your soul happy, you don't need to keep anyone else happy.
The most important thing about befriending yourself is that your friend knows both your weaknesses and your strengths. Think about this. How wonderful it would be if you were to befriend yourself. You know yourself. You understand yourself. So, this can be beneficial in identifying your strengths. You'll know your vacancy on your own, and this is the best thing because you won't have to ask anyone else for help. Many people often hear from others that this is your weakness, this is your center. If you can identify your weakness and submit it yourself, you won't have to expect the validation from others that you expect from yourself.
Giving yourself time is incredibly important. By giving yourself time, you discover your strengths and weaknesses, just like you give time to your friends. Self-time doesn't mean staying alone in a closed room; it simply means doing what you enjoy. For example, some people like to eat, others like to ride bikes, and others like to walk. Whatever you want to do, do it at your own pace. Make a plan and go alone. It's a big deal. It's often a good thing to go solo and learn to be alone in life, because I've experienced this myself. One day, you'll have to learn to be alone. You'll gain confidence in yourself that no college or school education will give you.
If you listen to my personal story, what kind of person was I? I was very open-minded. I didn't behave so openly. I couldn't live without my friends. That's true, but ever since I moved to Odisha and joined college, I've been feeling very lonely. I was with my friends all day. So I suddenly realized that being alone isn't wrong. But it can be overwhelming. What's the point of trying to hide that you won't find anyone? Then you start talking to yourself. Okay, should I talk to myself? It's a very good thing. When you talk to yourself, you understand what your problems are. Where you talk too much, where you talk too little, and where you take a stand. You have to talk about all these things. And you always have to keep in mind in your life that you never get carried away by loneliness. Fight it; reduce your overreactions.
We need to motivate ourselves and tell ourselves, "I can do it." This is the best thing in the world, because if you motivate yourself and tackle something, it's the best thing. Don't always look for motivation from outside expectations, or think that you'll do it only if someone outside tells you to. Never focus on yourself and your customers, and you can never understand your situation. Then who will motivate you? Do it yourself, not on your own WhatsApp. Clarity, your own encouragement, is the best. Friendship with yourself means that you appreciate yourself and notice your words and your actions. Start taking your team seriously, fulfill them, and follow them in a connected way. Only then will you be able to see the destination you dreamed of on time.
In the end, I'll say this: start giving yourself importance. Start putting yourself first. Start prioritizing. Don't wait for anyone. Don't think you'll do something only if someone comes and tells you to, or even if someone comes along. Don't wait for anyone, even if you have to go anywhere. For example, if you go on a trip and out of three or four people, two or three say they won't go, then no one else will come. Don't wait for anyone. If you go alone, don't have expectations for the world or for life. Start making friends with yourself.
Friendship with others is a good thing because it gives you new perspectives. But if you're in a place where you don't have those friends, it will take time to make new friends. So, make friends with yourself. I did this for a few days, and it changed my perspective on life because when you make friends with yourself, you find clarity in your life: yes, I don't have to do this. I have to do this. This is where I'm weak. If I'm strong here, life feels much easier and easier to understand. Remember one thing in life: don't wait for anyone else; motivate yourself. Keep appreciating yourself and befriending yourself, because that's the most important thing.