When in Doubt, Reach Out

I’ve been thinking lately about how easy it is to let time pass without checking in on the people who matter most in our lives. Too often, we call a friend, sibling, or cousin only when we need something—advice, a favor, or a simple hand. Eventually, those we care about notice, and slowly, our circle shrinks.

After leaving school, many of us find that our once-tight friendships begin to fade. Life gets busy. Work, family, obligations—it all piles up. And yet, the reason friendships falter is not always distance or disagreement; it’s often the simple fact that we stop reaching out for no reason at all.

Imagine if, instead of calling someone only when it benefits us, we picked up the phone just to say hello. To ask how they’re doing. To share a small piece of our day, or simply let them know we’re thinking of them. That one act—no agenda, no ulterior motive—can make a world of difference. It’s the small threads, the consistent effort, that keep the fabric of our friendships strong.

I try to do this myself. Sometimes it’s a quick text to a cousin I haven’t spoken to in months. Other times it’s a call to a friend who lives across the state, just to ask how life is treating them. The replies are often short, sometimes awkward—but more often, they’re genuine and heartfelt. And each time, I remember why I value these connections: they remind me I’m part of something bigger than myself.

So, the next time you hesitate—when you’re unsure if it’s the right time to call—reach out anyway. No reason is needed beyond simply wanting to know how someone is. Over time, those gestures become the glue that holds your circle together, long after school, long after the early years of friendship have passed.

Friendship doesn’t happen by accident. It’s nurtured, tended, and maintained. And sometimes, it’s as simple as picking up the phone.