The Dilemma of Calling Everyone a Friend: Why We Should Be More Specific

Let’s be real: we all have that one friend (or maybe more) who calls everyone a friend. You know the one, the person who introduces you to someone at a party and says, “This is my friend, Jane.” Meanwhile, you’ve never met Jane before in your life. It’s a common thing, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it got me thinking about the true meaning of the word “friend.”

I used to be one of those people who would call anyone a friend. If we had a nice conversation or hung out a few times, I’d say, “Oh, that’s my friend.” But approximately 4–5 years ago, I had a realization. I realized that it’s impossible to have many friends. It’s impossible to put in the time and effort to maintain so many relationships. So, I decided to focus on the friends I already had and invest in those relationships.

This got me thinking in that we should be very clear about the difference between acquaintances and Friends. So, I thought about an analogy that helped me; I started thinking about the difference between plants and flowers. Plants require care, attention, and time to grow and thrive. Friendships are the same way. You must put in the effort, check in with your friends, and be there for them when they need you. Conversely, flowers are beautiful and breathtaking at first glance, but they don’t last. They wither and die quickly. In the same way, acquaintances can be fun and exciting at first, but they often don’t stand the test of time.

That’s why I propose that we should focus on the friends we have and be more specific about who we call a friend. If someone has been in our lives for a long time and we’ve developed a deeper connection with them, they’re becoming . It’s not an easy process, but it’s worth it. Taking the time to build a true friendship with someone is one of the most rewarding experiences in life.

I also think that we tend to rush into friendships too quickly. We feel the need to have lots of friends and open up our lives to everyone. But that can backfire. We need to take our time and let friendships develop naturally.

The point is, we need to be more specific about who we call a friend. It’s a powerful word that should be reserved for a select few people in our lives. Investing in those relationships is worth it. So, take the time to nurture the friendships you have, and if there’s an acquaintance in your life who’s been around for a while, consider walking towards a friendship. Trust me; it’s worth it.