Being your own best friend

Unlike the classic Lit song ‘My own worst enemy’ I am, in fact, my own best friend.

It’s something I’ve only recently come to realise and appreciate in my late twenties and it’s mostly because when I was younger I was one of those girls who didn’t like to be… dare I say it… alone. 

Walking down the street, going into shops, going anywhere alone filled me with a sense of anxiety that was hard to shake. I think it’s most probably down to the fact that for my ENTIRE life I’ve never had a moment to myself.

I grew up in a house with 5 other people and for the majority of my life have had very close friends. Not just close emotionally but close in proximity as well. I am one of four children and we’re all within 5 years of each other, give or take (I’m neither good at maths and I lack the appropriate level of caring to try to remember my siblings ages!). I don’t often tell people this but up until my mid twenties I shared a room with my younger sister. We’re close, again, not just emotionally but we were literally close – she would often smash a pillow over my head if I (god forbid) let out a sniffle or snore at night. Let’s not even get into what happened if I even dared to cough!

About 3 years ago everyone I lived with (my siblings) flew the roost in one way or another which basically left me alone with my parents – a blog post which will no doubt follow at some point – and that’s when I kind of had to become my own best friend.

“How do you become your own best friend?” I hear you ask through the magic of technology and my crazed mind who imagines you, dear reader, hunched over your computer and totally absorbed in this post (I’m delusional, so sue me). It’s quite an easy process you just have to realise that you-are-awesome.

You have the same taste in movies, books, music, blogs (wink wink) and food as yourself. Can you believe it? You even like the same type of guy/girl and it’s not even a problem!! Who knew a friendship like that could exist?

The biggest hurdle might be to actually admit that you like yourself – this is a hurdle everyone has to deal with and it’s either not a big deal or it is because life is complicated, however, I can assure you that once you realise your best friend is always there with you pretty much every single situation you find yourself in will become easier.

So, treat your friends with love and respect but remember, you’re your friend too. In the words of the great… someone… who said this once and it now floats around on the internet and in my mind: TREAT YO’ SELF.

Sam

ps. If you don’t know the previously mentioned Lit song I’ve added the link below just for your ears. This, at one point, was what we in our late 20’s would call a bangin’ tune.