The Importance of Being a ‘No Maintenance Friend’ – Brian’s Blog

I love people but keep a very small 'circle of friends'. I have lots of buddies and people I will laugh and share a hug with but very few get into my home and get my free time. I don't have much free time so it is really hit and miss when I get a chance to use it with my friends. I need friends who understand my life and find a way to fit into what I can offer.

I have enough drama in my life and worrying about whether I have upset a friend is something I really don’t have time for. I tend to surround myself with “no maintenance friends”. These are the friends who are just there for you to laugh and never go too deep into life’s troubles. They understand we all have problems and don’t need to burden each other with them. We use our time together to escape the burdens. That is what I need friends for.

I am a people pleaser. I like to make people happy and if they are mad at me or upset with me, I really struggle. I believe the reason I let so few people into my life to really know me is because I fear the more people I let in, the more people I have a chance to let down. If someone seems upset with me, I attack it right away. I don’t wait to see what works out. I call them right away or go see them and talk about it right then. There is no need to let something fester and become more than it needs to be. Most of the times, disagreements can be settled with a couple minutes of dialogue. Life is too short for friends to be upset over what usually amounts to nothing.

Be a “no maintenance friend”. Just be there for each other with no strings, obligations or expectations. That is a friend.