shareefahayat

Everyone, at one point or another, has to sit with themselves and reevaluate the people they choose to surround themselves with. It usually happens when we realize that we don’t feel like ourselves anymore or when we realize we don’t like where we are at that point in our lives. Once you begin to really consider who you give your time to, you realize how much of an impact these people have on us, whether we like it or not.

You’ve heard sayings like “If you lie with dogs, you’ll get up with fleas” or “You are the sum average of the 5 people you spend your time with” (Jim Rohn). While I agree with these sayings, they don’t give us a toolkit on how to curate our company for our betterment.

Try ✨ Selective Accessibility ✨

When we choose who we spend time with, we can surround ourselves with those who share similar beliefs, dreams, and goals as us.

Instead of being swept into what everyone else is doing or who we feel is the prettiest or gets the most attention, selective accessibility lets us be in control and choose the kind of friends we truly want. Time is finite. Time is the most valuable thing on earth, and many don’t realize that until we start to fear for how much we have left. In saying that, not only do you have every right to be picky, but you should.

The power and value the right friends can have on your life is infinite, but when you prioritize being well-liked by everyone, you deprive yourself of being able to create deep and meaningful connections with people that want to pour into you.

What are the right friends? I think that’s for every person to decide on their own, but I believe they are people who make us feel more confident and motivated to pursue our own passions and goals in life. They lift us up and give us a sense of purpose.

Being less accessible allows you to be more picky on who you spend time with; it gives you more time to spend on the people that uplift you. True confidence and authenticity blossom when we surround ourselves with individuals who celebrate and honor our uniqueness. Rather than conforming to societal pressures or trying to fit into predefined molds, selective accessibility encourages us to embrace our individuality and find resonance with those who appreciate us for who we truly are.

By prioritizing meaningful connections aligned with our aspirations, we create a space where we can freely express ourselves without fear of judgment or pretense. These genuine connections become a nurturing soil for personal growth and self-discovery. We find ourselves supported in our pursuits, encouraged to pursue our passions, and uplifted in moments of doubt.

CONCLUSION

You only have so much time. When you are out trying to be well-liked by everyone or keep up with dozens of friends on a daily basis, you are creating mile-wide inch-deep friendships. Inch-deep friendships may make you feel validated, but they absorb valuable time you could be putting into yourself or more meaningful relationships. Being less accessible gives you your time back and lets you be more picky in selecting companions who share similar values, interests, and visions. Surrounding ourselves with these people creates a harmonious environment where we can be our authentic selves. In this atmosphere, we flourish, knowing that we are valued for the essence of our being. In turn, our confidence and self-assurance bloom as we are continually reinforced by the understanding and support of those who walk alongside us on this journey.