THE COMPANY YOU KEEP: WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY

There’s a saying that goes, “show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.” To a high degree, this saying is true and not just for your friends, but also for your family, acquaintances and every person you allow in your space.

The people you let into your space can influence how you talk, act, and make important life decisions. Have you ever gotten so close to a friend that you start to talk like them?

If yes, then you have experienced how simply being friends can subconsciously influence the way you talk so imagine the impact it can have on your behavior and thinking patterns. This is why you should choose your friends carefully. Here are some ways the company you keep can affect your life.

The company you keep can influence the way you see yourself. If you have friends that tell you often of how amazing or beautiful you are, you tend to feel more confident and energetic. If you have friends who constantly criticise your flaws, then you are likely to feel bad about yourself and question yourself even when you’re not around them. Growth is important, but negative energy can make you doubt yourself and your abilities. 

Your friends can influence your lifestyle. Friends tend to share their interests with each other as they grow. You’re more likely to start drinking if your friend drinks, or party more often if your friend exhibits that behavior. People grow on each other and you are likely to have common traits and exhibit similar or like behavior as time goes on. 

For instance, you may have had several different relationships, and if each person were to sit down and do an interview about their experience being with you their opinions or perceptions of you would be entirely different. We’ve all had experiences where we were with someone who may have brought out the worst in us, and we’ve all had experiences where we've encountered someone who may have brought out the best in us. This is because as energetic beings we subconsciously adapt behavioral patterns, traits and qualities from the people around us or cohabiting energies. It is a form of energetic symbiosis, and the more you are around one another the more your identity becomes obsolete and the dominant energy begins to expand further into your level of consciousness. 

It’s also common to see a group of people who hang out together often dressing a particular way. This is because when people make friends, those individuals who are easily influenced due to their subconscious need for external validation, try to fit in and this makes them adopt styles that they wouldn’t try on their own.

Your present friends can influence your future choice in friends. People who have been betrayed by a friend tend to have trust issues and find it difficult to open up to new acquaintances, whilst people who have loyal and loving friends are more open to new relationships and new experiences. Whatever effect your friends have on you will ultimately shape your future decision making and may negatively affect how you pick and choose future friends or romantic partners. Holding onto trauma from past experiences often causes us to shut out the people that are actually good for us out of fear of repeating the same past events that left you devastated and broken hearted. 

Good company can increase your lifespan. Several studies have shown that people who have supportive family and friends are less
stressed and look healthier. In 2005, a study of 1500 people for 10 years conducted by the Australia Flinders university found that those who had more supportive and nurturing friends outlived their counterparts by 22 percent. Based on this study, having healthy friendships has been proven to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart rate.

Having strong-willed friends can boost self-control. If you struggle with self-discipline and focus, being around people with high willpower can help you become more disciplined. This 2013 study shows how people with low self-control try to associate with more disciplined people. It’s quite similar to having a workout buddy that is more consistent than you, so they can push you to do those workouts on days you’re feeling lazy.

These effects show how the company you keep can shape you and help you become a better person or leave you scarred for life. This is why you should be mindful of the people you hang around with and listen to. Choosing the right friends can be everything you need to live that life you desire, and choosing the wrong ones can keep you from it.