In your thirties

 In your thirties, friendship looks a lot different than it did in your twenties. You are no longer bending over backwards to keep people around just because of history. You are no longer ignoring the pit in your stomach just to avoid rocking the boat.

You start paying attention to how people make you feel. Whether you are truly safe with them. Whether the connection is genuine or if it is just a habit you have been carrying since college.

And when it is time to let go, it is not out of spite or bitterness. It is because you have finally learned to honor your peace. You are done performing closeness, done explaining away red flags just to keep up appearances.

In your thirties, friendship needs to feel real. It needs to feel safe. It needs to pour back into you the way you pour into it. Otherwise, you are okay with letting it fade with love but without guilt.

Here is to the friendships that continue to grow with us and to the courage it takes to walk away from the ones that do not.