Friendship is underrated

This month, I feel like talking about something we often overlook: friendship.

And yet.. friendship starts when we’re barely out of diapers. It feels like the center of our universe during school recess, but somehow, as time goes on, it tends to quietly slip into the background.

Career, romantic Love with a capital L, personal projects.. and without even noticing, we lose sight of how deeply friendship matters.

Lately, I’ve found myself thinking this more and more: I’m incredibly lucky. Lucky to be so well surrounded. My friends are true anchors - especially in a life that’s been full of movement: moving to Barcelona, starting a business, riding the highs and lows... In fact, a lot of you reading the Oli-letter are friends. Big up 🧡

Like any relationship, friendship goes through waves, through seasons. It’s never a straight line. And always unique. It needs care. We nurture some friendships so they grow with us. We open the door to new ones. We watch others shift. And we learn to peacefully let go of the ones that no longer resonate.

Because with friends, we can laugh out loud. And also cry a little.

And that’s precious.

So this month - what if we gave friendship the space it truly deserves? A message, a phone call, a coffee, a walk, a little "you matter to me".

And for the more rational minds out there: they say you’re the average of the people you spend time with. So better choose your people wisely, right?

Let’s take care of our relationships. Long live love. And long live friendship.

4 QUESTIONS TO LISA

This month’s Oli person had to be… a close friend. Lisa is one of those soul friends. Always there, fiercely loyal, and despite a full life, she holds a huge space for friendship. I could show you hundreds of photos and videos of us dancing, eating ice cream, or in the middle of a sunbath, but I figured I’d ask her a few questions instead.

How do you manage to nurture your friendships despite such a busy life?

My dad always said, “you have time, you just have to take it.” These days, I do feel like I have less time that’s truly "mine," between work, relationships, family life, sports... It’s easy to feel like time is slipping away. But I really believe it’s all about priorities and intention. Being there for my friends - in the highs and the lows - is a priority. Sharing important or even silly moments with them is right up there in my top 3. That doesn’t mean I’m always perfect, but if you truly want to be present, you’ll find a way.

Have you ever had a friendship that changed with time? How did that feel?

Haven’t we all, once we hit our 30s? It was tough at first - I really struggled with the idea of change. But eventually, I saw how natural and healthy it is. We all make choices, take different paths… It’s totally normal for a childhood friend to not have the same place in your life at 8, 20 or 30. Then there are those friendships that take on a new shape, we may not talk every day anymore, but that doesn’t take away from how we feel about each other. So yes, I’ve seen friendships shift, and I’ve learned to accept that friendship - like everything - is fluid, evolving, and beautifully complex.

What’s the most precious thing friendship has given you?

To me, friendship is an extension of family. With my parents, my brother, my partner - the people who mean the most to me - we share so much: deep conversations, silly ones, laughter... and that’s exactly what I look for in friendship too. I guess what’s most precious is this: if someone asked me “if you had to bury a body, who would you call?” - I know I could count on my closest friends and family. (Don’t worry, I don’t plan to test this anytime soon.)

Last question, the one I always ask: what’s inspiring you right now?

That’s a tough one! So many things. But if I had to pick…

• An artist: @albertsala - a choreographer, producer, and dance teacher in Barcelona. He brings such a creative and passionate perspective to dance.

• A book: A Decolonial Feminism by Françoise Vergès. It helped give rise to a richer, more inclusive feminist discourse that is actually helping shift things in real life - not just in theory.

• An illustrator: @javirroyo - a Barcelona-based illustrator who makes creativity and drawing feel fun and approachable again, especially in his book I Draw, Therefore I Think.

  
  

BITS AND BOBS TO GET INSPIRED THIS MONTH

• Ever heard of the 5 Love Languages? We don’t all give or receive affection the same way — and that goes for friendships too. A sweet little reminder to better understand your friends (and yourself). 

• 8 minutes on the phone = a happiness boost. It’s science-backed: just a short call with a friend can lift your whole day.

•  Karaoke moment? We’re just as into Georges Brassens as we are Aya Nakamura. (Balance, baby.)

  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

OLI-REFLECTION

What do you value most in friendship?

And what do you admire about your closest friends?