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When we are little we are taught that bragging is not appropriate. It’s a sign of snobbery and narcissism. To talk about how many Chanel bags you have, how many pushups you can do, or how much money you make, I agree, is not wanted. But there are some forms of bragging I do encourage:  celebrating yourself and celebrating your friends. Right now we are living in a society of self love, self promotion, filtered pictures, and an open platform to speak your mind. I am very much in the forefront of self love and self care. It’s vital to your health and well-being. But I think we need to go beyond self love and show love of others by celebrating your friends accomplishments.

No matter what my friends are doing or what they have accomplished, I want to celebrate it. Show the world what I see in them– which is greatness. If they won teacher of the year, ran a marathon, got a promotion, is a stay at home mom, killing it in styling celebrities,  got their Master’s degree…. whatever it is I am proud of them. Really proud of them. I think it is amazing what my friends are doing with their lives, and I know the hard work it takes to accomplish a goal.

 I have always tried to celebrate my friends. In High School I would try to go to my friend’s sporting events when I can. And to show a little extra support I would wear my best friend’s soccer pin ( the formal one you give to your parents of you in your uniform) to her games. How I got the pin, I am not sure, probably stole it from her— still have it.  I loved wearing it to her games because not only was she amazing soccer player,  but I wanted to support her and show how proud I am of my friends. Now I show this support by posting my friend’s accomplishments on Insta Stories or Facebook. I write under their own post a huge congratulations with lots of exclamation points; whatever I can do to show them love and support. In a way it gives you hope and happiness. Hope that you too can accomplish a goal, and, well, anything that brings your friends happiness, and ultimately you, is worth celebrating and bragging about.

I think there comes a time in your life where you can fully be happy for your friends accomplishments without feeling envious. It comes when you are truly happy with where you are in life, or at least know where you are doing. I am at that place in my life right now.  Although I have always been happy for my friends I have had the sting of envy when someone is evolving in life and I am feeling unaccomplished. I went through a little period of my life when I had a hard time expressing my emotions and was suffering from depression. I was so selfish during that period, I think I barely said congrats and faked a smile or two (even though deep down I really was ecstatic for them).  I couldn’t muster the thought of anyone else except what was going on inside me. I wish I could go back and change that, but I have learned a lot from it. Those are the times when you really should celebrate and brag about your friends. You need love and celebrating someone else is the best way to show and receive love. Friends are not blood, they are chosen. To choose to love someone as a friend and accept their love of friendship in return is a pretty neat thing to do. I realized that my friends could be feeling under appreciated, not good enough– even if they did just accomplish something. It shows validation of the love and support you have for them. It makes them feel good to know someone has their back. It makes them feel good about themselves. And I know I am happy when my friends are happy. It’s time we start really celebrating the people in our lives whom we love.