
Level Up Your Friendships ASAP
On Friendship
by Michel de Montaigne
Philosophy
TL;DR
This book is about ditching the superficial connections and diving deep into one truly epic friendship. It's about finding someone who mirrors your soul, sharing everything without holding back, and understanding that true friendship is rare and all-consuming. Forget networking; this is about soul-level bonding that makes all other relationships feel like background noise. It's a manual for cultivating an exclusive, profound connection that transcends typical social interactions.
Action Items
Think about your current 'friends.' Is there anyone you feel truly, deeply understood by, without having to explain yourself? Text them something random and see if they respond with exactly what you were thinking.
Pick one slightly embarrassing or vulnerable thought you've had today and share it with your closest friend. See how it feels to be truly seen and accepted.
Take a mental inventory of your social circle. Identify the one or two people you truly trust and prioritize them. Maybe skip that group chat drama and just hit up your main person for a real conversation.
Do something genuinely helpful or supportive for your closest friend, purely out of care, without any expectation of reciprocation. Just be a good human.
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Key Chapter
Chapter - The Uniqueness of True Connection
Montaigne basically drops the truth bomb that most of your 'friends' are just acquaintances. He's not talking about your group chat buddies; he's talking about that one person who's practically your other half, where you don't even need to talk to know what they're thinking. It's about total vulnerability and unconditional acceptance, like finding your ultimate co-op partner in the game of life. This isn't about having a big squad; it's about having one person who truly sees you, flaws and all. It's a rare, intense bond that makes you feel less alone in this chaotic world, a connection so deep it's almost spiritual.
Key Methods and Approaches
The Soulmate Search
(AKA: The Perfect Union)
Description:
Finding that one person who's basically your twin flame, but without the romantic drama.
Explanation:
Imagine your brain is a super complex app, and most people only get the demo version. This method is about finding someone who has the full, unlocked version of your app, and you have theirs. You just get each other, no buffering. It's like finding the missing piece of your emotional LEGO set, where everything just clicks into place. You share a brain cell, basically.
Examples:
You both spontaneously order the exact same obscure takeout without discussing it.
You finish each other's sentences, even when talking about deep existential dread.
You can sit in comfortable silence for hours without it being awkward or needing to fill the void.
They know your deepest, darkest secrets and still think you're cool, maybe even cooler for it.
Today's Action:
Think about your current 'friends.' Is there anyone you feel truly, deeply understood by, without having to explain yourself? Text them something random and see if they respond with exactly what you were thinking.
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