My Favourite Metaphor: Fridge Friends

There are so many kinds of “ships” in life - mentorships, partnerships, leaderships -- but the one we often talk about the least is friendship. And yet, it’s arguably the most intimate, consistent bond we build over time.

Friendships are the people you confide in when life drops an unexpected plot twist in your lap -- whether it’s about love, work, or something in between. They witness your in-between moments, the messy and the marvelous.

Which brings me to.. drumroll the nuggeteer of the month - Emmanuel Acho, who speaks compellingly about how he puts everybody in his life into the category a house - windows, doors and floor friends.

Window friends can see what’s going on, but don’t know what’s going on, they’re on the outside looking in, they are those friends who text you on Christmas, holidays, birthdays, they don’t have intimate access to your life - but you can’t be mad at your window friends, because you can only let so many people into your house

Door friends come in and out of your life depending on the season. When life starts to get a little too hot, they might leave. Or when your world turns cold, they might exit.But don’t be mad at your door friendships, because your friends may not be dressed or equipped for that season of your life

Floor friends aren’t going anywhere. You might track mud on the floor, but those floor friendships they will last regardless of the season. The floor is there to catch your tears, hear your fears, it’ll keep you standing up. Quite literally your house will cease to exist without those floor friendships

My spicy little addition: Fridge Friends have unlimited permission tokens to open each other’s fridges, rummage for snacks, and nourish one another, emotionally, physically , or literally. And yes, there’s a mutual understanding: if you eat something, you restock it. They don’t just take. They refill.

Wait do you think Wall Friends could work too. Because keep you grounded by letting you lean on them? I would maybe categorize this as people who are always there for you but struggle to ask for help when they are in need of support.

It's interesting to dissect this metaphor from Emmanuel, because I do feel like all of these friends exist in orbits - like the rings of a cinnamon bun. The people who are closest to me are my floor and fridge friends, whereas others, who are still valued, are further out, and have less touch points. Though, over time, with one of my values being "deepening existing relationships", most of my energy is focused on my fridge and floor friends.

Which friend are you?

And more importantly... who are your fridge friends?