Friendship Day definitely brings back nostalgia—The School Days.

Going to the store, picking different friendship bands, reserving the aesthetic ones for your close friends, counting who’s got the most, donning them on until they wear off, and keeping them as a memory forever.

School-age and Celebrations

School Days were good. We were never bored of Friendship Day. The cycle repeated every year with the same enthusiasm.

Even today, I messaged my friends. A few smiled, a few got excited, a few didn’t really care, but they were happy I texted.

When I recall everything as an adult, I realize it was not about any particular day. It was all and always about celebration.

It was about the joy of showing your best friend they mean something to you. In retrospect, this is what I mean when I tie a friendship band: Out of 30-40 students in our class, you are my favourite. You are special, and I love you for being my friend.

The joy of expressing makes these days memorable.

Adulting and Celebrations

As an adult, what is an equivalent of a friendship day? Where do you get the joy of expressing yourself? When do you enjoy celebrations? What do you give to your beloved?

I can think of birthdays, anniversaries, milestones in personal and professional life, festivals, vacations, etc.

But…

Not everybody gets excited about birthdays.Not everyone likes celebrating festivals.Not everyone can take vacations frequently or enjoy travelling.

Meaning: The number of small moments you truly enjoy and want to celebrate reduces as you become an adult.

If you rely on fixed dates like festivals, it might not be enough for the kind of stress you go through and the responsibilities you handle. This is why I think it is important to identify and celebrate self-defined days, even for the silliest reasons.

If Google Photos or Snapchat memories remind me of the good time I had with a friend a few years ago, I message the person saying, “It’s been three years alreadyyyyyy!!!!”

We hang out the same day, plan to meet sometime soon, get on a video call, or just recall what we did in the chat. That is our little self-defined celebration.

“We need more impromptu moments in life. These small, silly celebrations give you the ounce of joy you need for your sanity.”

So who are you wishing today? (Maybe start with your school crush. You never know, you both might celebrate again in six months :p)