Thursdays are Twenty Something Advice at GenPink. Today’s guest post is written by Lara. Lara blogs at Life: The Ongoing Education.

Like many others of my generation, I spent a great deal of my twenties (thus far) in committed relationships.  One in particular.  This meant I spent the vast majority of my time with one person and not much time with any others.  Of course I had friends, but I didn’t see them often… or talk to them very much… or do anything that would actually indicate a friendship.  They were friends from before “the guy,” and – sad as I am to admit it – I took it for granted that they would always be there.  I took them for granted.

And then I needed them.  Almost exactly one year ago, I entered what would become the darkest of my life so far.  The relationships I had been spending the most time and attention on fell apart, and I felt like I was completely alone.  And when I thought of the friends I could turn to, I realized that I had totally neglected everyone.  The thought of turning to someone I’d ignored and saying, “Hi, I know I haven’t kept in touch for, oh, years, but now that I need something, I was thinking we could get together” – well, that thought was abhorrent to me.

I let my mom and sister talk me into reaching out to my friends, but it wasn’t until after I was hospitalized for my depression (full story here for those interested) that I really accepted the fact that I might need my friends.  I called and asked them to visit me, I asked for advice, I asked for support and unconditional love.  And you know what?  I got it.  The friends I had ignored held me up and carried me through the worst storm I’ve ever survived, and the fact that I did survive it, I owe mostly to them.

Now, looking back, I wish that I had given those friendships the attention and respect that they deserved before I was at rock-bottom of my life.  I’ve learned never to underestimate the power that friendships hold, and the lifelong importance of having friends close at hand and close to heart.

So you want some advice from me?  Some friends are friends forever – hang onto them, appreciate them, value what they bring to your life.  Being a twentysomething means dealing with a lot of changes – professionally, personally, geographically.  Whatever happens, find a way to keep your friendships healthy and strong.  You never know when your friends might save your life.

Previous Twenty Something Advice:

• Twenty Something Advice: Don’t plan your life based on what other people expect
• Twenty Something Struggle: Why Can’t I Be Happy?
• Twenty Something Advice: Educate Yourself on Politics
• Twenty Something Advice: Power of Music

So everyone knows the girl from American Pie that says "this one time at band camp" well I am the girl who says "I found this website …". Literally that sentence comes up in day to day conversation all the time.

So yesterday, I found this website … that is so cool (yes I’m a nerd). It’s called Happy Median and the whole premise is "meet halfway between you and your friends. Save time and distance." You see … one of my dearest friends Tanja (she was my fake roommate in college) is now a big fancy art teacher and she moved 50 miles away *tear*. This weekend we were actually discussing what’s a good halfway point for us to do our girl’s dinners. And what do you know today through geeksugar (*heart*) I found Happy Median. I quickly typed in my city, and Tanja’s and our other friend Olivia and viola I was presented with a fun little map and so many options of meeting places.

You should check it out, because … a) I said b) It’s important to stay in touch with your friends (that’s the topic for Thursdays Twenty Something Advice) c) I like the concept behind their logo.

Blonde nerd signing out of technology Tuesday.

When big things happen in your life you realize how important the people around you are. I am so thankful that I have such great people around me. I have fabulous friends and family. There may be more about this later but for now I just wanted to say thanks.

I am not sure if I saw this idea somewhere or if it just came to me but I wanted to pass along the bridesmaid gift idea that I had. My college roommate got married this weekend and I was her MOH (Maid of Honor) so I was trying to think of something fun/creative to give her as a gift from the bridesmaids.

She is currently living in England so I knew I wanted it to be something small that she could easily take back with her. After thinking of things we did together and things that were small I came up with the idea to get her an iPod. Since I love the ipod shuffle that I won I thought that she would love one as well. When I went to Target to buy it for the I was pleasently surprised by their current Special Edition Pink Shuffle. We paid the same price as we would for the regular shuffle but it also came with a $15 iTunes gift card.

We ended up spending the night before the wedding hanging out in the hotel room listening to millions of songs (I exaggerate a bit) looking for the perfect balance of mushy love songs, silly dancing songs, and college memory songs.

The iPod was a hit and was also great entertainment for us.

I have been out of touch for a few days because I was in small town Texas for my friend’s wedding. I had a great time spending time with my college buddies. One of my old roommates and I drove down together and played catch up. The other bridesmaids caught up with us throughout the weekend. We had so much fun with our 3 day slumber party that we have decided to have grown-up slumber parties every 6 weeks. I think that is such a fun/crazy idea. For the past few years we have done a monthly/quarterly dinner with all the girls (about 10 of us from college) so we have been able to keep up with each other. But the slumber party will be more intimate, there will only be a few of us and we will have more than 1 hour together.

How do you keep up with your friends?

PS - I am so excited that Grey’s is back on!