New Friends

Of late, I've been making some new friends and reconnecting with old ones on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. It is indeed exciting to be learning more about new people that we meet each day. However most of us have our own reservations when it comes to taking that time to go into the whole friendship journey right from the start. Here's looking at that journey.

Stage 1: Discovery
This is the time when you discover things about each other, more like introductory phase. You learn about what they enjoy doing, etc etc etc. This is also the most interesting times as you get to discover some of the things which you might have in common with the other party. At this stage, is also the time when you know whether you click with that someone or simply a fair-weather hi-bye friend.

Stage 2: "I just know you yet it feels like I've known you forever"
When we discover we actually click with that someone new, it makes the whole world go round and somehow it feels like we've known them forever. Time spent talking to each other seem short even though it stretches through the day/night. At the end of the day you just feel as if you've accomplished something when in actual fact, you did practically nothing except talk to each other.

Stage 3: Trusting
As with all friendships that we get into, there bound to come a time when trust plays an important role. Not everyday is Sunday as sometimes Sour-days come by too. It is during these Sour-days that most of us just feel lousy and need someone to confide into. Not many of us would run straight to new friends due to being afraid of being judged at. Therefore trust building requires time, effort and a lot of patience as letting someone in is not an easy process.

Stage 4a: Staying put
Depending on how you approach the whole friendship after Stage 3, you could either stay put and be a sincere, genuine friend or you could just walk away (Stage 4b). Staying put and assuring the other party that you're here to stay takes a lot of patience but ultimately that's what true friendship is all about, staying by each other up till the end.

Stage 4b: Walking away
This option is set only for fair-weather friends who are there during good times and walk away when doom and gloom sets in. After which, they slowly fade away in the background and dissipitate into the atmosphere.

That said, friendship is a lovely thing. It makes one feel secure and comforted to know that during the best and worst of times, there is always someone there at the other end of the line to reach out to you. So don't be scared of making a new friend. Don't be scared of letting someone in, for you will never know what lies ahead for both of you. Yes, the process is a tad tiring but I supposed at the end of it all, it's worth the while. :)