As a child of growing interest, the idea of having friends and partners to play afternoon games with seemed like the best part of the day. However, as we grow up, our ideals and environment change, and so do we. With those changes around us, people seem to come and go. Before you know it, you are in your 20s or 30s and you think life through all over again and the true friends you make. But what even is a "true" friend?

It might feel awfully strange when you have a fall out with a friend with whom you have spent your whole middle school with, or even your best friend who now lives abroad and long distance seems to be the most difficult aspect of your life. You are not wrong when you feel that way because life takes these sudden shifts which seem to affect two or more people in a friend circle. "I think, at times, we grow a little bit distant because we already grow a disinterest for everyone else over time and for many other reasons, our egos seem to play a much more bigger part in this whole scenario," says Rifat Fariha as she speaks of why she believes that distance and age plays a big role in life.

There might be a time in your life where the term "toxic" seems to play a much bigger role from the person you considered as your friend. Of course, there might be nothing wrong with that person or there might be, but you just cannot seem to mingle your spirit into theirs because their actions disrupt your peace. This will change your perspective on your friend, but if it gets too much for you, it is safe to move on rather than experimenting with your patience. "I think there comes a time where there is a boundary no one should cross and if a friend keeps discouraging you in the worst way possible without being aware of it themselves, then I think it is high time to move away from that 'friend'. There is a thin line between bullying and insulting to be frank," says Lamia Tabassum as she prepares for high school with a fresh new perspective.

It is important to understand that with time, people change and this change might not be as transparent as one seems to hope. Accept the fact that not all friendships are deemed to last but then again, not all fights are the end of one either. No matter what it is, try to stay positive and be more accepting towards the changing paces of familiar faces. Quoting the 14th Dalai Lama, "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Surprise your friend with a meme or a WhatsApp text because it's only so easy to go a long way if you just take the first step.

Photo: Collected