Friends keep the world spinning, and we are all aware a good friendship is worth everything. If you're not aware, wake the f*ck up because they are. Having someone who will take a bullet for you is the most comforting thought you can have on both good days and bad days.
You will always have multiple "friends." But, they don't hold a candle to that one special friend, your non-sexual soulmate, if you will. You know who I'm talking about. This friend is the kind who makes your parents question your sexuality.
He or she is the person who literally knows everything about you, including your good and bad habits and your worst and most devilish thoughts. He or she will finish your sentences and will literally know what you're thinking just by looking at you. He or she will contact you because he or she has a psychic sense when something's up with you.
That friend is the reason we drag ourselves out of bed when we don't want to. This is the person who wants to hang, hear about your stories and share his or her own. Being in a friendship like that is priceless. There is no boyfriend and no love-like relationship that can compete with a true friend.
Your casual friends – the ones you have many of – come and go. You have fun together. They fit into your life at specific moments. At that point, they can be exactly what you need. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this type of friendship. It might not last, but it can be amazingly valuable anyway.
Now, a true friend is a different story. These do not "come and go." These are there to stay.
You might have one. If you're really lucky, you have two. You think these bonds can never be destroyed because you would never let anything come between you.
However, I am here to tell you that sh*t can go sideways real quick, even when you don't want it to. Here are things you should probably avoid if you don't want to f*ck up your friendship:
1. Going On Holidays Together
From experience, let me tell you this: There is no bigger challenge than traveling with a friend. I am not talking a weekend getaway; I am talking about traveling.
This is the kind of vacation where you can't find your hostel, you haven't eaten, you're getting hangry, it's getting dark, no one speaks English and it sort of freaks you out. It's a holiday where you discover a new world and simultaneously discover yourself, all the while sharing this with another human being.
Fear and uncertain situations can bring out the worst in people. When you discover a new level of bitch crazy, it can be really disappointing. You thought you knew each other so well.
You thought there would be no surprises. Yet, there are. There always are. I'm not saying it can't be done, but trust me when I tell you to think long and hard before going down that road.
2. Living Together
Knowing your soulmate is a chaotic mess and living with said chaotic mess are two completely different things. Yes, I know what you're thinking: “I know she's messy, but I love her. Besides, I'll have my own room. I won't even notice.”
Well, think again. This is where a friendship and a relationship cross and come out at different sides of the spectrum. I don't exactly understand why, but it is much easier to accept a messy living room when you live with your boyfriend or girlfriend than it is when you live with your best friend.
You don't want to be a drag when you're with your SO. You try not to complain too much, and you might be more inclined to clean something you'd rather not, just to avoid the hassle.
But when you live with your bestie and he or she doesn't respect your cleanliness wishes, sh*t will explode. There will be a point when you won't be able to hold your frustration in any longer. Your inner mean girl will come out.
3. Liking The Same Boy
This is one of the most dangerous situations you can find yourself in with a friend. It doesn't matter what you've agreed on or how much you respect this person.
One day, it will go wrong. You will fight, say nasty things to each other and badmouth the hell out of each other. No matter how hard you try, love is a mother*cker. It will make you do stupid sh*t, whether you want to or not.
4. Being Part Of A Wolf Pack
Being best friends is awesome. Being best friends and also being part of a bigger friend group together can be tricky. I don't know if you've ever noticed, but girls talk a lot.
Unfortunately, we tend to talk about each other. Some talks are more positive than others. Being a part of a wolf pack can make you jealous if you're not getting the attention you'd like, or if your bestie keeps hanging out with that other chick.
Like, what's up with that? I promise you it doesn't take much. If you're in a wolf pack together, tread carefully.
5. Dating A Friend's Family Member
Do not go there, ever. Traveling together, living together and having multiple friends together are all tricky, but they can be done.
This one, however, rarely ends well. With that, I mean there's a 0 percent chance of it ending on a happy note. Unless that family member is a distant cousin or your ultimate soulmate, you should never date your best friend's member casually, just to "see what happens."
When have you ever had such an amicable breakup that you still wanted to see the person at family gatherings, weddings and Christmas dinners? That's right, never.
They say most obstacles can be overcome. But if you have a soulmate you want to hang on to, I wouldn't take the risk.
