Maybe I had someone like that—yes, I did have one true friend. But now, I feel like things aren't the same between us. It seems like he’s no longer comfortable around me. Maybe he’s looking for new friends, and that’s okay. I’ve never stopped anyone from moving on—I understand everyone has the freedom to choose their own path. We’ve been best friends for almost 6 years. We both had many other friends, but our bond was always different—we were best friends.
You might’ve seen a reel on Instagram where a group of friends is shown, and with every phase of life, their circle keeps changing. But in the end, just two real ones remain—those who were always there, no matter what. That’s exactly how I saw us. We used to share everything with each other—every thought, every struggle, every joy. But for the past two months, something has changed. I don’t know what happened, but I can feel the difference...
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| When Friends Leave: Lessons Learned About True Friendship |
Let me take you back to last year—when one of my friends got a job in an IT company. The three of us were genuinely happy. There was another friend in our group who was just as close to me as the one who got the job.
We didn’t celebrate loudly or post about it everywhere, because all of us think alike. We’ve never believed in showing off our achievements. Our way of celebrating was quiet and simple, and that felt enough. Everything was going great...
Now one of us had started earning, and that was something worth being proud of for the remaining two. The second friend was also working hard, aiming to buy a car. Life seemed to be moving smoothly for all of us, in the right direction.
And then, after around 6 months, the second friend actually bought a car.
That’s where the differences started.
The one who bought the car started acting differently. A sense of ego began to show. He started praising himself openly—talking like he had reached the top just because he owned a car.
Slowly, I began to feel like he saw me as "less than." Maybe because I don’t have a job yet, or because I don’t own a car. In his eyes, I’m just an unemployed guy with nothing to show.
I don’t know what the one who’s earning that's time thinks about me—the one who used to be closest to me. But let’s leave that aside. Let’s talk about what I’ve learned from this experience, and what you might learn from it too."
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What I've learned from this experience?
I completely forgot my own power—the strength to build something meaningful without needing people who don’t even care. Honestly, I wasted so much of my precious time and energy on a group of friends who never valued true friendship. And yes, time is the most valuable thing we have, and I spent it on the wrong people.
I gave them my presence, my support, my loyalty—but the moment they found success, they forgot me. I used to think we were in it together. But now, I realize if I had invested that same time and effort in working on myself, I might have been somewhere much better by now—stronger, wiser, and further ahead in life.
But you know what? It’s never too late to learn.
Even my father once told me, "Most people are only with you for their own benefit. Once their intention is fulfilled, they leave you behind." And now I know—he was absolutely right.
How many times have I fought with my parents for the same people who forgot me once they became successful? Is this what real friendship looks like? I never expected something like this. But it’s also true that life rarely gives you what you want—it gives you what you never imagined Which is best for you.
I’ve also learned that if you're not regularly involved or connected with your friends, there's a chance they’ll start forgetting you. Just because others are more engaged with them, they might get influenced and drift away. However, this doesn’t apply to real friends or genuine friendship. So if you truly have real friends, don’t be afraid—you’re one of the lucky ones.
Sometimes, I read articles about how three best friends started a startup together—maybe you also read them too. What a beautiful friendship they must have! They understand each other very well, support each other, and grow together. I always admire that kind of bond. You probably do too.
Even in Indian history, we’ve seen many examples of powerful friendships. That’s the kind of friendship I’ve always wished for—and maybe you’ve wanted the same.
Start something big together, like a business or a dream project. Because it takes real strength and trust in a friendship to do that. But honestly, when I look back at my own life, I feel regret. I never experienced a friendship like that. I’m just sharing my reality—not a perfect story, but a real one."
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What True Friendship Really Needs – In My Words
What does true friendship actually need? In my opinion, the first and most important thing in any friendship is understanding. You must truly understand each other. And after that, comes loyalty—to stay, even when there are a hundred reasons to walk away. If you can find just one reason to stay, that one reason is enough to make your friendship strong and meaningful.
There will be moments in life when you may feel hurt or misunderstood by your friend. But in those times, don’t forget the past—the times when no one stood by you, but your true friend did. Don’t leave someone just because of a single mistake or situation that may not even be in your or their control.
Life throws many situations at us, and I believe these are like tests of friendship. These moments reveal how much you believe in your friend and how loyal you truly are.
End with
At the end, everything happens for a reason—so don’t worry about it. In my story, I’m not blaming anyone; I’m simply sharing my experience. I’ve written what I felt and saw as a friend, and the emotions that came with it.
I’ve learned that staying alone and working on yourself is one of the best ways to grow. In today’s world, it’s becoming harder to find true friends. So why not become your own best friend first? If you’re truly happy with yourself, others will naturally want to be around you.
Always try to stay positive, even in difficult situations. I chose to publish this article on Friendship Day because it’s deeply connected to my friendships. So this year, celebrate Friendship Day by being your own friend first.
#friendshipday