Five Ways To Sustain School Friendships Once You Walk Into Adulthood

Change is the only constant- a philosophy too closely entwined with reality in retrospect of life. However, as we all metamorphose into stronger, more confident, experienced and beautiful individuals we tend to forget or worse lose a lot of things. Deep down this pile full of insecurities, rejections and mistakes are certain friendships that at some point encompassed all our daily interactions and feelings. One such equation we share is school friendships, which have undoubtedly made us laugh, cry, fight and love. But it is sad how rarely we maintain them outside of the school walls, at times when the exact carefreeness and honesty school buddies promised is the answer to most of life’s problems.

And like the legendary philosopher, Aristotle said, “Man is a social animal” it is only fair that we don’t discard the very foundations of all our future friendships and relationships. While it is difficult to resonate with the once smooth childish ways in which our school friendships worked it is all a matter of the effort and time we contribute. Keeping all this in mind, here are five ways in which you can get started to revive your Masti Ki Paatshaala once again.

Make That First Call: Probably the first thing to keep in mind when trying to get in touch with somebody is to, try to get in touch. If for whatever reason you have strayed away from your ‘chaddi buddies’ go on and make the first call, ask them how they are but be considerate enough to know that you may not be the only person to have changed.

Don't Skip The Reunions: Adulthood is a precarious turn on our worldview and emotions and people may end up in very different places and with very different interests but one thing to remember is that there will always be at least one thing common among all your school friends and one must not give up on the few occasions to cherish that.

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Try Not To Judge: This one’s a keeper for life. In school, your friendships were regardless of financial status or any other reason really. Therefore it is not only fair but great if we all can continue that same practice for the continuance of our old friendships and in the formation of new ones. Celebrate the people who taught you everything you needed to be at the stage of life you are in now and not their bags, watches, cars or salaries.

Forgive And Forget To Move Forward: While school friendships give us a lot to keep close, a few fights and arguments are always a freebie to dwell over. Regardless of the intensity of bitterness it is always better to communicate and overcome certain things because in a sense true to the monopoly the world runs on- while pleasure, enjoyment and smiles are promised by children, fights and differences are characteristic to adults, so forgive all the haters and foster more meaningful relationships, unless of course if what they hated was the mighty Chhota Bheem.

Don't Let Adulthood Change The Dynamics: Having good relationships is never a waste of time or effort but only if it’s treated and maintained the same way from both sides. There is a tendency to be stuck on some silly rumour or confession but in a situation that demands growing up physically and psychologically certain things are best left behind. Just like the fights, all the gossip can also be left in the pile, deep down among insecurities, rejections and mistakes.

This article has been published under SheThePeople’s Young Writers Training Program. Views expressed are the author’s own.