u/Guythateats

There was a time when I had a lot of friends. School, college, work… every phase came with new people, and I genuinely believed some of them would stay for life. But as I grew older, the number of people around me kept getting smaller. At first, I thought I was just getting unlucky. Later, I realised I was simply understanding people better.
One thing I’ve noticed is that almost everyone has a reason to be around you. Sometimes it’s convenience, sometimes it’s entertainment, sometimes it’s because you’re useful. And the day you finally confront someone about something that’s been bothering you for months, they don’t stop and think, “Maybe I’ve been doing this for a long time.” Instead, they get offended, paint themselves as the victim, and convince themselves they did absolutely nothing wrong. What they fail to understand is that your reaction wasn’t because of one incident. It was the result of seeing the same pattern over and over again until you finally had enough.
Growing up has taught me that, apart from your own family (if you’re lucky enough to have their support), very few people are actually yours. It sounds harsh, but accepting that has given me more peace than constantly trying to hold on to people who never valued me the same way. Somewhere along the way, I got used to being alone. And surprisingly, that’s where I found the most peace. No unnecessary drama. No overthinking. No fake expectations. Just silence, and it’s honestly better than forced company.
If there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s this: if you’re going to be in someone’s life whether as a friend or in a relationship be clear about your intentions. Don’t lie unnecessarily. Don’t keep people around only until they’re useful. Don’t treat people like they’re pieces in your own game. If you’re going to stay, stay with honesty. If you don’t mean it, leave. Relationships don’t need politics, manipulation, mixed signals or hypocrisy. They need clarity and respect. Everything else eventually falls apart.