Why It’s Important to Choose Your Squad Wisely

As social creatures, seeking connections with other people and building relationships that reinforce our self-worth is a necessity. Friendships, in particular, give us a profound sense of belonging. We feed off of each other's energies, thoughts, dreams, and even differences—which all play an integral role in shaping our identities.

Friends heavily influence the person you become, as well as your life's path, so it goes without saying that you should choose your squad wisely. Here are four reasons why.

Cultivating friendships is never the most challenging part—instead, it's making sure you're forming the right ties for the right reasons. Having shared values is a great place to start. Having similar goals not only ensures you’ll both be doing mutually meaningful things, it also helps you understand what motivates another person’s choices and behavior; this makes it easier to empathize and even mediate conflicts when they arise.

Friends form the infrastructure of our lives. If that groundwork is poorly built, it can feel like everything is going to crash to the ground at any given moment; that's why knowing which friendships to drop is just as important as knowing which to keep. Some connections are worth developing, while others necessitate letting go. The choice comes down to a simple question: Does this person have your best interests at heart?

When you feel as if a friend is hindering your ability to grow and evolve, consider ending that friendship. When you feel that a friend is draining your energy, and playing on your fears and insecurities, terminate that friendship without a second thought. In life, you’ll encounter givers and takers. The key is being a giver, and looking for those who will happily reciprocate. Quality friends are generous, empowering, and selfless; they seek to positively influence your life.

It's surprisingly easy to be steered off course by social pressures—something we've all been affected by at some point in our lives. We've all experienced moments when our perceptions were distorted by those around us, or when we made an ill-conceived decision to go along with group.

Surround yourself with people who have your best interests in mind, and you’ll avoid these kinds of situations. Taking full ownership over what you do and how you think doesn’t hurt, either. Not everyone with whom you cross paths will want to see you succeed. The key is identifying the people who are really with you.

Have a friend that insists on making you feel bad for wanting alone time? Proceed with caution.

An essential part of a successful friendship is being able to distinguish between spending a lot of time together and co-dependence. Good friends will support you, but will also encourage you to take time alone when you need it. True friendships can withstand time apart during busy periods when work and other pressing responsibilities take precedent.