Today, I thought I'd mix things up because honestly, I think everyone should have a friend like Nicole! We went to high school together (more about that here), became inseparable in college and were even roommates for a semester. She's been my photographer for a number of blog posts, and most recently, she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids! Over the past three and a half years, we've been through a lot together – navigating sorority life, crushing on boys and managing classes because I may have picked her major?? Through it all, I've been so thankful to have her by my side. She is the best friend I could have asked for, and she's taught me so much along way! Friendships are so powerful and shape who we are, so, for those of you who may not have the chance to meet her, I'm sharing five of the most impactful things she's shown me through our's!
1. Be cognizant of who you surround yourself with. "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." I'm sure we've all heard this Jim Rohn quote before, but I've never seen someone take it seriously and live it out quite as well as Nicole. The people we surround ourselves with are so influential, and she's taught me that it's ok to be picky about who those people are. It's important for those people to share the same values as you, and you want people who are going to build you up – while still being honest – and wholeheartedly support your ambitions. She's taught me that it's good to be friends with a variety of people, but you shouldn't put as much stock into those that don't have a constructive effect on your life.
2. God's timing is always perfect. If only y'all knew the whole story behind this lesson she's taught me haha! Neither of us are patient people by nature, but together we've learned how to lean into God during times meant for waiting. Ultimately, what He has in store is far greater that what we could ever imagine, and this is always the first thing she reminds me of whenever I feel overwhelmed by my current circumstances or the future!
3. Relationships should come first. Nicole is such a good friend and sets a great example for what intentional relationships should look like. When you boil it down, nothing matters more in life than the people you decide to share it with. She constantly prioritizes spending time with her friends and family, and it's something I've always admired and appreciated about her. While school, work and all your other ambitions are important, nothing quite matches the paramountcy of personal relationships.
4. Don't be afraid to say yes, but know when to say no. Going along with number three, you still need to keep your personal sanity in mind. Nicole can be incredibly spontaneous (something I am admittedly not good at!) and is always excited about opportunities to do something random or new. At the same time, though, she is very self aware and knows when she needs to say no. It's common to feel drained, and she's shown me that sometimes we all need to take a little time to ourselves to recuperate. Through her, I've also learned that it's alright to say no when I genuinely don't want to do something. Unless it's urgent, there's typically no need to sacrifice my joy for the sake of others.
5. Never take yourself too seriously. Lastly, and probably most importantly, you're never too old to be a little goofy. Did I ever imagine myself doing the worm on my sorority's front lawn alongside my best friend at 20 years old? Nope, but that night ended up being one of my favorite college memories so far! While it's easy to get caught up in preparing to be an adult, Nicole has shown me how important it is to still have fun along the way. Whether it's randomly breaking out killer dance moves, having a laugh while playing a board game or just getting overly excited about the little things, it's these little bursts of joy and individuality that make life so fun!
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