Having people we can truly trust is something very rare; something that holds extreme measures of value. Though trusting people is like giving them a hammer to our hearts, and telling them not to swing. Some choose to dangle that weapon unwaveringly above us. They taunt us, as the metal forms into a treacherous smile. 

We have all had peers of ours wreck our hearts carelessly Yes it’s unfortunate, but eventually, the pieces have to be put back together. Our hearts are our everything, and so is that person that glued it back together.

Middle school is where we build friendships that help us through our highs, our lows, and anything in between. A good friend is someone who doesn’t leave when things get hard, and are willing to accept, and respect our boundaries. Yes, sometimes we will have toxicity in our friendships, but that’s okay. Eventually we will grow from it, and learn how to navigate through people who show us signs of a negative relationship. 

Most of these encounters happen in middle school, and gradually, they will help us learn from our mistakes. Our mistakes will then lead us to our true friends; they’ll help us realize who we’re meant to become.

Emerging Through Negativity 

Although we meet our people in middle school, we also encounter those that we “think,” are our people. Yet most times, they really aren’t. 

We have all had at least one toxic friendship, and speaking from experience, they are not fun. They’ll make you feel like everything is your fault, blame you for their own faults, and try to manipulate you into thinking they’re the only friend you need. Upsettingly, people actually do these things. A lot. But it’s important to mature from our past flaws, and emerge through the negativity.

I believe you find your people when you need them most. Most times, when we’re at our lowest, we’re in middle school. At early teenage years we are still growing into who we are, and figuring out who we’re meant to be. 

Another thing I believe is that you are who you associate yourself with. Especially in middle school, we’re vulnerable to “being the odd one out,” and scared to miss out on things our friends are doing. Yes, some of us stick to being our own people, but honestly, most of us don’t. 

To surround ourselves with people who love and care for us will be extremely beneficial during the long run. Being with friends that have positive affects on us, can change who we are for the better.

Portraying Trust

Putting our faith into others hands is truly petrifying. We’re constantly pondering if they had listened to our wishes, or kept our sacred secrets locked away. Every so often they’ll slip up, and make those mistakes that go against us. Yes, mistakes are okay. Yes, we all mess up. But when is it too many? 

Portraying trust is one of the best things we can do as people. It’s even more paramount to do when we’re in middle school. Having a circle of people, that doesn’t break the shield surrounding it, is essential. Though it’s hard to find in middle school, eventually others will attract towards our personalities. We will have relations, or bonds that will help us through crucial events, and direct us into being the best versions of ourselves. 

All of these factors are vital to our mental health, and long term happiness. Friends are the people we trust most; don’t be the one to betray them.

Friends are the key to growing our mental states. True happiness comes from within, which is ironic, as we gain joy from the things, and people, surrounding us. Having a close relationship can help us find our clarity, and well-being. Good friends help us reach our goals, and guide us through our failures. Friendships are to build us up with unconditional support, not parade around, and humiliate our losses.

Staying Strong

Sometimes staying involved in friendships is hard. Everyone’s going to have other friends, and friend groups. That’s okay, and we don’t need to crowd, or hover over one or two people. It’s good to have a diverse set of friendships, and different types of people we can go to without judgement.

Tying it all together, not everyone is meant to be friends. Different personalities, values, and actions, naturally repel people away from each other. Yet, they can also form into this beautiful connection, that makes us feel as if our bonds are unbreakable.

When our flaws are balanced, and we have an even perspective, our minds collectively calm down, and see the bigger picture. As mentioned before, we cannot do this by ourselves.Though we need to choose the people for us, not against us.

Trust is huge in these aspects, and we all need to consider that. Trust is not given, it is a privilege of our own faith.