Friendships: A Reflection on Connection
I’ve been thinking a lot about friendships lately—how they come into our lives, how they grow, and how they adapt to the people we are. Friendship isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about showing up as you are and allowing others to do the same.
For me, living with ADHD has shaped the way I experience and nurture friendships. I’m not the person who remembers every birthday, every milestone, or sends regular “how are you?” messages. It’s not that I don’t care; it’s just that my mind doesn’t work that way. And for a long time, I carried guilt about this, feeling like I wasn’t doing enough to be a “good friend.”
But over time, I’ve realised that friendship doesn’t have to look one way. It’s not about constant contact or ticking boxes.
It’s about the energy you bring when you are there. It’s about the ability to make your friends feel seen, heard, and valued when you’re together, no matter how much time has passed.
The beauty of friendship is in its diversity. Some friends share your lighthearted moments, some your deep conversations, and others simply share space with you in quiet understanding. No two friendships look the same, and that’s what makes them so special.
I’ve also come to appreciate the seasons of friendship.
Some connections last a lifetime, while others are there for a particular moment in your life, helping you grow or heal or laugh in ways you didn’t know you needed.
Each friendship, no matter its duration, has its purpose.
What I’ve found most important is authenticity. Friendship, to me, isn’t about the grand gestures or constant updates—it’s about creating a space where you and your friends can be your true selves. It’s about being present when you can and showing up in ways that feel real to you.
I think we put so much pressure on ourselves to meet these invisible standards of friendship. But what if we let go of that? What if being a good friend simply meant being honest about what we can give and receiving the same honesty in return?
In a world that often measures relationships by proximity or frequency, I want to celebrate the kind of friendships that thrive on understanding and acceptance. The ones that don’t demand perfection.
Friendship is about connection, not performance.
It’s about finding the rhythm that works for you and your friends and embracing the beautifully imperfect ways we come together.
