Friendships are meant to instill meaning into our lives. They are expected to last depending on how we maintain friendships. First things first, try to know the individual you are relating with. He or she may turn out to be the person you least expect.
Notably, friendships are like flowers which need to be safeguarded at an early stage. They are bound to branch towards greater opportunities ahead, though it mostly depends on the individual. There are individuals who keep friends for keeps while others temporarily. The topic of friendships takes me back to when I began pursuing my diploma course. I happened to bump into an individual who turned out to be my first beloved friend on campus. We were so close that people nearly thought we were sisters. Interestingly, we pursued the same courses and lived together as roommates. There was a lot we learned from each other which is unforgettable till to date. This kind of friendship was one in a million and something I had never expected to happen. Five years till date and it is still memorable.
Check out Sanaa K’s Illustrations Depicting Girlhood and Friendships
However, I have learned a lot about friendships. There are genuine and fake friendships. Some individuals may seem ‘nice’ but in the real sense, it is a ploy. In other cases, some are true friends who will stand by you no matter what. They will be a shoulder to lean on when in trouble. Remember to choose your friends wisely.
Furthermore, I have also learned not to make hasty decisions towards friendships. They may cost heavily once it turns out to be a terrible individual. Seek to know him or her well before taking the next step of friendship. Nowadays, it is unfortunate that some only seek friends with benefits. This should be looked into closely when considering friends. 
Another thing is to safeguard your friendship. Let it be like a novel in which other individuals are curious to know about. Do not expose your secrets openly and be careful whom you share them with. Also, ensure there are no barriers towards your friend. If possible, look for ways to control or avoid those barriers.
Furthermore, set time to meet in order for your friendship to flourish. There should be no excuse whatsoever. Personally, I believe in creating time to meet or engage in a fun activity and enjoy the moments. There should be absolutely no excuse unless it is an emergency. Do not let yourself be a slave of time.
Lastly, do not force any friendship to work. Let it move with the flow. If it is not working, you can either get unattached or simply do away with it. As a famous quote states, ‘Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.’
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Annette Wangechi Kariuki is a student and online writer, studying Mass Communication at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
True picture of picture of friendship