<p>In an era where social media dominates our lives, it is refreshing to reminisce about the good old days when friendships were forged without the aid of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/technology">technology</a>. Our group of 16 friends, all women, met and got to know each other during our first job in the late 1990s and gradually formed a strong bond over the last 25 years! </p>.<p>Back then, mobile phones and WhatsApp were unheard of. Over the course of time, we took other jobs and drifted apart, leading our own lives until the advent of Facebook, and one of our friends brought us all together, reconnecting everyone after almost 10 long years! </p>.<p>We got together more frequently, as time permitted, catching up over lunches and marvelling at how time had flown by. Almost all of us were now married, with children, and some had relocated to different cities or countries. Our get-togethers were all about non-stop chatter, laughter, and unfiltered conversations. Our friendship was a unique entity, distinct from our relationships with family members, spouses and acquaintances. </p>.Non-negotiable neighbourhoods.<p>After a few years, we decided to take our camaraderie to the next level by planning a trip together and spend a good few days together; a day of chatter wasn’t enough anymore. Our first excursion was to Kodaikanal, a kid-free and husband-free zone, where we relished every moment together. </p>.<p>The experience was rejuvenating, and we returned home refreshed. The joy lasted a year and then we wanted to do more. We stayed more connected now that we had social media, mobile phones, and WhatsApp. We realised we had so much in common—we were practically like family, sharing everything from our clothes to food and gossip, without batting an eyelid. </p>.<p>Another trip to Puducherry was soon planned and executed! The sun, sand, and sea; our never-ending chatter; laughter and countless photographs summed up our getaways.</p>.<p>With the mountains and the sea done, it was time to do something different.</p>.<p>A third trip to a farm on the outskirts of Bengaluru was planned recently. It gave us an opportunity to do things we always wanted to do: sing and dance around a bonfire, harvest some <br>ragi, walk around in the rain huddled together under shared umbrellas, ride a tractor, and eat some wholesome organic food. </p>.<p>There are friends, there is family, and there are friends who become family. These relationships that have stood the test of time are rare and precious. To all the boys and girls, men and women out there, I urge you to find your tribe and nurture those relationships. In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced and chaotic, it’s essential to hold on to friendships that uplift and refresh your soul. The rest of the world can wait!</p>
<p>In an era where social media dominates our lives, it is refreshing to reminisce about the good old days when friendships were forged without the aid of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/technology">technology</a>. Our group of 16 friends, all women, met and got to know each other during our first job in the late 1990s and gradually formed a strong bond over the last 25 years! </p>.<p>Back then, mobile phones and WhatsApp were unheard of. Over the course of time, we took other jobs and drifted apart, leading our own lives until the advent of Facebook, and one of our friends brought us all together, reconnecting everyone after almost 10 long years! </p>.<p>We got together more frequently, as time permitted, catching up over lunches and marvelling at how time had flown by. Almost all of us were now married, with children, and some had relocated to different cities or countries. Our get-togethers were all about non-stop chatter, laughter, and unfiltered conversations. Our friendship was a unique entity, distinct from our relationships with family members, spouses and acquaintances. </p>.Non-negotiable neighbourhoods.<p>After a few years, we decided to take our camaraderie to the next level by planning a trip together and spend a good few days together; a day of chatter wasn’t enough anymore. Our first excursion was to Kodaikanal, a kid-free and husband-free zone, where we relished every moment together. </p>.<p>The experience was rejuvenating, and we returned home refreshed. The joy lasted a year and then we wanted to do more. We stayed more connected now that we had social media, mobile phones, and WhatsApp. We realised we had so much in common—we were practically like family, sharing everything from our clothes to food and gossip, without batting an eyelid. </p>.<p>Another trip to Puducherry was soon planned and executed! The sun, sand, and sea; our never-ending chatter; laughter and countless photographs summed up our getaways.</p>.<p>With the mountains and the sea done, it was time to do something different.</p>.<p>A third trip to a farm on the outskirts of Bengaluru was planned recently. It gave us an opportunity to do things we always wanted to do: sing and dance around a bonfire, harvest some <br>ragi, walk around in the rain huddled together under shared umbrellas, ride a tractor, and eat some wholesome organic food. </p>.<p>There are friends, there is family, and there are friends who become family. These relationships that have stood the test of time are rare and precious. To all the boys and girls, men and women out there, I urge you to find your tribe and nurture those relationships. In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced and chaotic, it’s essential to hold on to friendships that uplift and refresh your soul. The rest of the world can wait!</p>
