We make daily investments. One of the most reoccurring and perhaps biggest investment we make are those to our friends. From text messages and phone conversations to money and time, our contributions to friendships are no small endeavors. After analyzing this perspective, I found out that I invested too much into relationships early in my adolescence. Furthermore, I realized how withdrawn I had become from them lately. This made some of my relationships one-sided, at least in the figurative sense. This analysis helped me to understand what exactly I was investing into my friends and what I received from them in return.

Symbiotic relationships set a good foundation for dissecting friendships. The most beneficial mirror mutualism where both organisms benefit from the relationship. However, many friendships mirror parasitism where one organism benefits while the other is left worse off. I found myself investing the most into parasitic friendships. Investments like loyalty, unconditional love, respect, honesty, and transparency seem minuscule, but these are some of the most important contributions you can make within a relationship. Mutuals reciprocate your investment. These are your friends for a lifetime. Parasites will benefit from your investment until you have nothing left to give. These are the friends that will use you until you no longer benefit them. I found myself burdened by the weight of toxic friends. The physical and emotional tax associated with them became unbearable. Not only because of what I offered, but also because of what I received.

The investment of friendship works both ways. Our friends invest into us with every interaction, whether good or bad. This means you could receive a blessing or an early demise. Good investments like understanding, support, and guidance can lead to growth and success. These are the types of investments that good friends make into us. Bad investments like envy, pessimism, and dishonesty can lead to distress. These are the types of investments that come with a heavy tax. It is easy to overlook these contributions in certain relationships based on history and previous investments. I excused the behavior of my parasitic friends because I believed the friendship to be mutual. I was unconscious of how harmful these friends were to my prosperity. If I invested into those relationships any further, I would be depleted of all energy and resources.

Every relationship comes at a price. Each has a unique deposit and rate of return. That’s why it is important to be mindful of the company we keep. Most of the daily investments we make go unnoticed, but have a lasting effect on our lives. I once invested too much with little in return from bad friends. It was too expensive to maintain the relationships. Luckily, I am blessed to have friends that bring positive contributions into my life. These are the people that saved me after I let parasitic friends destroyed my mental and emotional state of mind. I charge you to evaluate the price you pay for your friendships. What investments do you make into your associates? What do they provide in exchange? After analysis, you will understand the true cost of friendship.