17/04/2026
Your friends might be the reason you are broke. I know that hurts to hear. But it is the truth.
Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are. That is not just a saying. That is a law.
If your 5 closest friends are all vibes and inshallah you are the 6th member of that club. If they complain about the government every morning you will be complaining by afternoon. If none of them are building anything you will not build anything either.
That is how influence works. It does not ask for permission. It just seeps in.
Let me give you a personal example.
Most of my close friends own suits. Good ones. For a long time I did not. Then one day I looked at myself and said I will not be the odd one out. I went and bought suits.
That is positive influence.
Now imagine if those same friends were promiscuous. Drug addicts. People who do not value growth. I can promise you I would have been the 5th person to join that group.
Because proximity shapes behaviour.
You become who you spend time with. Not who you wish you were.
If your friends talk about businesses you will start thinking about businesses. If they talk about books you will start reading. If they value health you will start going to the gym. If they travel you will start planning trips.
But if your friends only talk about alcohol, gossip, and complaints, that is your ceiling.
And here is the worst part.
The moment you try to grow they will pull you back.
"Ati unataka kufanya nini?"
"Bro relax si life ni short."
"Unaact k**a wewe ni better than us."
That is not friendship. That is an anchor.
Some friendships need to end. Not with drama. Not with a fight. Just with distance.
Stop calling. Stop showing up. Start spending your time with people who challenge you to be better.
It is okay to outgrow people.
It is not okay to shrink yourself so they feel comfortable.
Your growth depends on your circle.
Choose it wisely.
β Dr. Oyayi Bravin Juma πβ€οΈπ