Recently, I fell out of touch with my martini and pizza friends. Hail the Queen! I know it may not seem like a big deal, but it really is a great achievement on my part. See for a long time I tagged along, been tagged along by emotionally unavailable friends who would only play the friendship card in their favor.
If this was Pre-COVID my loss would have been a teary event. But this time, there were no teary conversations on Skype about how sorry I was for past let downs, days of brooding and drowning in litres of wine; Nature simply took its cause and ghosting prevailed!
Just before you call me a heartless friend, I know you probably have those acquaintances that add zero value to your life. The ones who only care for the free beer and food at yours truly and of course an idle ear to share accounts of their awesome John who’s planning to whisk her to Bahamas.
This class of emotionally absent friends only hold themselves dearly at heart. They don’t see the need to pay attention to those around them because in their self-absorbed minds the World begins and ends with them at the center of it all.
You might not have noticed it, but this cluster of people will silently turn you into their back up social surrogate. The advent of social distancing and minimal physical interactions presents an opportunity to retreat to your safe zone, flex your new found peace in solitude and drop those toxic friends!
I have seen thousands of ads preaching the virtual get-together gospel as a way of cushioning one’s mental state against anxiety and panic attacks. I concur that indeed we should seek quality face time with the ride or die kind of friends. At the end of the day only a handful of quality friendships laden with care and soberness will calm your heart as we continue to sail the uncharted waters of Corona Virus. Meanwhile, Stay safe, and Stay Home!
