Breathe, Eat, Connect: Friendship in the Pyramid of Our Basic Human Needs

Life lays out a myriad of scenes before us, yet through each one, the constant of friendship shines with its own light. From a young age, the differences between my home and those of my friends taught me about the weight of appearances. Nevertheless, that mask of a happy girl hid a reality of shouting and misunderstandings, an early lesson that deep bonds require more than superficial smiles.

As time passed, my adolescence turned into a silent scream for connection. Although my heart longed to share the storms of my life, the words never found their way in conversations that, though frequent, rarely touched the core of my being. It was as if two parallel worlds existed: the one I lived and the one I showed.

Adulthood brought with it more than physical changes; the friends of my childhood began to weave their own stories with threads of marriages and motherhoods, while I tangled myself in my own solitary threads. Distance was measured not only in kilometers but also in experiences. But it was motherhood during the times of pandemic that added a new dimension to my solitude. Enclosed in a bubble of new life and isolation, the absence of my friends was felt more than ever.

Yet, it was also during this period of enforced isolation when I realized that true friendships do not fade with distance nor with silence. As my baby grew in my womb, a new kind of strength sprouted within me. A strength that, when the world began to open up again, allowed me to re-weave the ties with my friends, this time with threads of honesty and vulnerability.

Life showed me that true friendship does not require masks or appearances. At 38, I learned to share not only the joys but also the scars, to join my voice to the chorus of their lives with all its harmonies and dissonances. Friendship, I discovered, is a constant dialogue, a giving and receiving of experiences, unconditional support in the odyssey that is living.

At this stage of my life, friendships are a reflection of what I have overcome and what I aspire to be. They are the mirror in which I can look at myself without filters, the embrace that does not judge, the laughter that understands without the need for words. They are, indeed, an indispensable component for a full life, and yes, for a happy life.

In my story, each friend is a chapter, each encounter an anecdote, each farewell an ellipsis that anticipates a new meeting. And each reunion, a reminder that, despite the challenges, true friendships are that golden thread that, regardless of the distance, always brings us back together.

As I share my journey and the lessons learned about friendship, I invite you to look inward and reflect on your own friendships. Ask yourself, what are your relationships with your friends like? How do you nurture and care for them? What do you do to strengthen those bonds that mean so much in your life? Friendship, like any garden, requires attention and care to flourish.

Think about the last times you genuinely connected with your friends. Do you share your joys and sorrows with them? Do you allow them to see your true self? Let's remember that friendships are nourished not only by shared moments but also by honesty, vulnerability, and mutual support.

In life, many things can be uncertain, but one truth shines clearly: everything, from the first day to the last of our days, is infinitely better and more fun with friends. Friends not only share our burdens but also multiply our joys. They are the companions of laughter, the confidants in times of need, and the stars that illuminate our path.

So, as we move forward on this journey called life, let's remember to value, care for, and celebrate those connections that make us more human, stronger, and undoubtedly happier. Because at the end of the day, life with friends is not just a life lived, but a life enriched and full of meaning.

If you want to read this article in Spanish, click here.