Not until recent time have I realized how difficult it is for me and my friends to gather, and how I should start to have fun on my own more often.

Since we – my friends and I – have our own busy lives and plans, scheduling a date is a real struggle. It takes us true efforts to all agree on which date, place, or activities should we indulge ourselves in. For instance, the other day, I found out about a live music bar which, to me, would be an awesome place for our group to hang out. My friends, however, shown no interest and kept suggesting other places. Eventually, I went there by myself and was absolutely enjoying it.

By the end of that evening, I got so hyped that I just wanted to tell my friends how wonderful everything was, about the band, the atmosphere and the drink. But as soon as I picked up my phone and was about to text them, I remembered the reason why I spent the evening alone. Obviously, my friends would have no interest in listening about it, so I was just turning on my laptop and turning those awesome moments into words like what I do most of the time.

It is undeniable that happiness or enjoyment is supposed to be shared and multiplied among oneself and others. But this doesn’t mean you can not have fun on your own. Let’s think it this way: there is only one person in this world who is capable of loving you eternally, who ultimately shares the same interests and hobbies with you, who truly understands you, who knows all of your problems and secrets, who is your soulmate.

Is there anyone on your mind already?

Yes, it is you, yourself. No one other than you could be so cool and ideal. Who doesn’t want to hang out with that special person!

That’s why I’m striving to be a best friend of my own.

It’s not easy at all, especially when hard times come as it feels like the world is going against me and even I couldn’t be there for myself to rely on. That feeling sucks. But the good news is that things have been changing for the better. I don’t find myself get caught in that dark place as often as I used to be. Since I have been kinder to myself, I am now very mindful of how important it is to tell myself: “Hey, I am here with you”. Not only am I moving heaven and earth just to be available to myself all the damn time, I’m also exerting myself to be an honest, positive friend.

“Be a friend of thyself and others will be so too.” – Thomas Fuller

This journey to self-love can be extremely difficult sometimes. But it’s possible. You can be a friend of your own, a nice one, by comforting yourself, conversing with yourself with kind words, doing the things you love, dating yourself and taking care of yourself. Do those things little by little, day by day and you will soon realize how wonderful you are as a friend.

Let’s start with a pen and a piece of paper. Write down 10 traits of your ideal friend, or simply the things you want to do with them. My list begins with:

1. Traveling to Thailand

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