Have you ever come across the trendy phrase “The Inner Circle”? You know, that group of friends with whom you share all your joys and sorrows, the ones you’d do anything for, and who know you best. Everything outside of that circle is nice, but they shouldn’t expect you to be there for them day and night. It’s about separating the wheat from the chaff, as they say. This term used to trigger my allergies, and I’ll tell you precisely why!

For those who have no clue what I’m talking about, let me explain. The “Inner Circle” refers to that group of close friends you trust the most, the ones you share your deepest feelings with. Everything outside this inner circle is pleasant, but those people shouldn’t expect you to drop everything for them instantly.

I went through a phase in my life where I evaluated my friendships and realized that I was giving a lot but receiving very little in return. The balance was completely off, and it made me sad most of the time. I firmly believed that you should treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of whether they are inside or outside your inner circle. Just because someone falls outside of it doesn’t mean their needs can wait indefinitely for a response.

When I confronted people about how I perceived our friendship and asked if they treated their best friends the same way, I often received a response mentioning “The Inner Circle.” They would say, “My inner circle gets everything, and those outside are nice but not my inner circle.” This response always exposed the painful reality. To me, treating everyone as an inner circle was natural, but for them, I was only important for the time being, even if I saw them more often than their so-called “inner circle.”

People tried to convince me that it was about balancing one’s energy, that you can’t give your full attention to everyone or be there for everyone. However, in my view, the term “Inner Circle” seemed more like a wishlist that others had to meet. They needed to prove their worthiness to access someone’s friendship and support. That’s how I interpreted it, at least.

Over the past few years, I’ve shared more love and empathy with strangers I met for less than 24 hours than with some of my supposed inner circle friends. I’ve come to realize that terms like “Inner Circle” are just about exclusion—an excuse for moments when people don’t know how to deal with certain situations. It’s a way to justify actions they may not be proud of.

Let’s put an end to the concept of the “Inner Circle” and embrace a childlike openness with everyone we meet. Of course, not everyone will pour their heart out to us, but when someone does, let’s truly listen and see them. Nobody becomes a better person with a title like “Inner Circle.”

Real connections are built on empathy, kindness, and understanding, not on exclusive labels. I’ve learned that genuine friendships can sprout from the most unexpected places. Opening our hearts to those around us, regardless of whether they belong to an inner circle, allows us to experience the richness of human interactions.

So, let’s challenge this notion and focus on building meaningful connections with everyone. Let’s break free from the confines of the inner circle and embrace a world of inclusivity, where every person is valued for who they are, not based on some checklist of worthiness.

Next time you encounter the idea of an “Inner Circle,” remember this blog post and ask yourself, “Do I really want to be part of something that potentially excludes and hurts others?” Instead, be that person who welcomes everyone with open arms, showing them that they matter, and together, we can create a world where everyone feels loved, heard, and understood.

Let’s ditch the “Inner Circle” and embrace the beauty of diverse connections!