"A sweet friendship refreshes the soul."
A Round Tuit
I remember, that for a long time (and maybe even still now), we had a plate in the kitchen called A Round Tuit. The joke behind it was the notion that now we had A Round Tuit we could accomplish all the tasks that we said we had put aside for when we got 'around to it'!
Part of the thinking behind my list of forty things to do before forty (March 2022), was to accomplish and experience activities that I had kept promising myself I would do when I got around to it!
Number 21
One of the tasks I have been procrastinating on is to create a friendship book (#21). For a long time, I have toyed with the idea of creating this. I have started it many times but I am not a completer. This is partly because, when it comes to getting stuff done, I most align with an obliger:
"For Obligers, the solution always comes down to the same thing: outer accountability. Get a form of outer accountability. One classic technique: Set a deadline. Things that can be done at any time are often done at no time.
https://gretchenrubin.com/2021/07/battling-procrastination-use-the-four-tendencies I'm hoping that my published list will be my deadline and my accountability in one.
A Friendship Book
I had a number of people enquire as to what a friendship book actually was. If I'm honest, I am not completely sure (and maybe this too fuels my procrastination). All I know is I want to grow strong friendships and one way my mind believes that to happen is to understand them better. A Friendship Book is simply a log of their favorite things, personality types, birthdays, memories we have; I just need to work out how and where I do this.
Cheese
Talking of creating stronger friendships, I realise keeping a 'book' might sound a little odd, perhaps cheesy, and obviously, I am not going to keep anything private or without their consent! Friendships however are not built on listed information and remembrance but on memories, experience, laughter, and gathering.
That is why last week, I decided enough was enough! I wasn't going to wait for a new house, or for the risk of Plan B to be put into action; I was going to invite some of my favourite Faversham people around to mine for a cheese night!
It was great to finally have friends together in my front room! I loved listening to everyone telling stories, sharing their lives, some getting to know each other for the first time. The cheese was wonderful and I got to show off the cheeseboard my amazing sister made me for Christmas! I am so thankful for these friends and love how unique they are. I love their passions and strengths and the different ways they create and think.
I was one of those teens who felt they struggled with friendships. Now I am older, I guess I understand that many of us had that struggle - it was part of growing up. I am so thankful for the friendships I have kept, made, and am growing and I am looking forward to more nights out and in, more shared experiences, and more laughter in the years to come.
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