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DECLUTTERING YOUR FRIENDSHIPS
When we go out on the adventure that is life, we encounter a great number of people along the way; yet, having an excessive number of friends can be taxing. Decluttering your friendships can simplify your relationships with your friends in the same manner that you have simplified your life at home.
During the course of your life, you will undoubtedly come into contact with a large number of different individuals. As we make our way through life, we are going to cross paths with a lot of different individuals, some of whom will eventually become our friends.
When we meet new individuals at different points in our lives, such as when we go to school or university, when we begin a new career, or when we participate in hobbies, it’s possible for us to develop friendships with those people. But what exactly are the characteristics of a genuine friend? What distinguishes casual friends from those who stay by your side for the rest of your life? And why should you keep some of them while letting go of others and decluttering your friendships?
GET TOXIC FRIENDS OUT OF YOUR LIFE BY DECLUTTERING YOUR FRIENDSHIPS
It is certain that we will, at some point in our life, come into contact with a poisonous person. Toxic individuals are those who are emotionally draining and negative, and they are frequently the types of people who demand an excessive amount of one’s time and energy.
They are easy to detect since they leave you feeling tense and depressed after being with them. These are the people in our social circle from whom we have to distance ourselves. You can let them know your intentions by simply explaining your reasons to them face to face and then walking away with your head held high after you have finished your explanation. Be certain of the path you intend to take, and cut ties with others who don’t contribute to your sense of fulfillment.
THE THREE TYPES OF FRIENDSHIPS
There are three different kinds of friendships, according to Aristotle: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure, and friendships of virtue. Friendships that have utility are connections that are beneficial to both individuals involved, and they are the most functioning of the three types of friendships. A customer at your place of business or a neighbor who feeds your dog both qualify as potential candidates for this category.
The second type of friendship is one that is based on mutual interests, such as when two people consistently participate in the same hobby or activity together, such as going to yoga class or playing football. The last type of friendship is one that is founded on virtues such as compassion and mutual respect, and it typically takes a significant amount of time to develop. These are the types of friendships that can begin to form as early as the elementary school years and are predicated on the assumption that both parties share similar ideals and goals. But how are we supposed to maintain a healthy balance in our lives when we have so many different buddy groups?
Is it possible to have an excessive number of friends? A lot of the time, we hang on to friendships that are no longer beneficial to us, which is why it is essential to take a step back every once in a while, to reevaluate the situation and ask yourself whether or not the friendship is serving you in any way. You need to ask yourself some important questions, such as the following: Is it true that this friendship is making me happy? Should I spend my limited time with this individual?
ITS TIME TO LET GO BY DECLUTTERING YOUR FRIENDSHIPS
You might be able to spot a connection that is not contributing to your happiness, especially if you frequently leave the presence of the other person feeling down. It’s possible that you have a poisonous friendship with someone who always brings you down and causes you to argue. The passage of time is one of the many factors that influence our decision regarding which friends to keep and which to let go of.
We are committed to maintaining a relationship in which we have already invested a large amount of time. Why spend any more time attempting to restore a relationship that isn’t contributing anything positive to your life, regardless of how long you’ve been friends or how long you’ve been friends with the other person? It’s possible that you put in effort with someone, but they don’t do the same with you; friendships that only go in one direction might leave you feeling drained. It is feasible to prune your list of pals, much like you may get rid of unused items in your home.
LESS IS ACTUALLALY MORE
It is a start in the right way to concentrate on the people who are the most important to you. We have to stop putting other people’s needs above our own in order to alleviate the tension that results from doing so. Instead focus on those people that make us happy.
You can liberate yourself from the undesired burden of attempting to juggle your time between too many people by making the conscious decision of decluttering your friendships and have fewer friends who are more valuable to you. Take a brief break, and reflect on how you are currently feeling.
Do you ever feel as like you are trying to accomplish too much with too little time? Do you want to devote more of your time and effort to the relationships that are important to you? If this is the case, it is time to reorganize your group of close friends and focus your attention on the people in your life who truly contribute to your well-being.
LET IT SLOWLY FADE AWAY
It is never an easy chore to stop a friendship, but if you have determined that the friendship is no longer beneficial to you, then it is a task that needs to be performed. One strategy for removing someone from your life is to gradually lessen the amount of time and contact you have with that individual over the course of some period of time. Start by not organizing to meet up as frequently and avoid messaging back as often. It is likely not going to be simple, and you will undoubtedly miss that person on occasion, but you should continue to remind yourself of the motivations for your choice declutter your friendship and let go.
DECLUTTERING YOUR FRIENDSHIP IS A NUMBERS GAME
Professor Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist, believes that there is a relationship between the numbers. According to him, the typical person has a social circle of approximately 150 people. He continues by saying that within this group, there are fifty people who are considered friends, and fifteen individuals who are considered excellent friends.
The number five, according to Dunbar’s theory, represents the circle of close friends to whom we can always turn in an emergency. These are the people who you can count on to be there for you no matter what, and they are your true friends. Take a moment to reflect on these five people who are your absolute best friends and ask yourself if you are spending enough time with them.
According to Dunbar, one of the primary reasons for decluttering your friendships is so that we can make certain that the time we share with one another is being done so in an efficient and manageable manner. If you keep your circle of friends to a manageable size, you’ll be able to zero in on the qualities of your closest companions that bring out the best in you and concentrate on forging deeper ties.
Concentrate on these tiny, close-knit groups of friends, and when you reach the conclusion that you need to cut ties with certain relationships because they are no longer beneficial to you, do so with self-assurance. You will discover that you are better able to manage your time, which will lead to a happier and more energized you.
MOST IMPORTANTLY GET TO KNOW YOURSELF FIRST AFTER DECLUTTERING YOUR FRIENDSHIPS!
In the midst of all of this clearing out of clutter, the one person you need to get to know better than anybody else is yourself. One of the best ways to genuinely grasp what makes you happy and what makes your soul sing is to spend some quality time alone in your own company. This is one of the finest ways to spend some quality time alone.
When we have an excessive number of friends, we frequently forget about our own issues because we become preoccupied with those of everyone else. We put our own issues and concerns on the back burner, which is incorrect, and this is when things can start to become a little bit overwhelming.
Stop worrying about everyone else and give some thought to how you may better organize and reflect on your own journey instead. Decluttering your friendships will provide you freedom. Why don’t you go for a stroll in the nearby park or spend a half an hour engaging in an activity that you enjoy doing by yourself?
