Let’s be honest, are you really friends with all your coworkers? Seriously, think about it. I’ll say what we’re all thinking: you do not have to be friends with everyone you work with. You can be friendly, sure, but friendship isn’t a requirement.

That being said, in some work environments, especially smaller team-based ones, it can be helpful to form friendships. Having a good relationship with coworkers can make collaboration smoother and work more enjoyable. But if you’re in a job where the team is large or constantly changing, there’s no pressure to become besties with everyone. Still, it’s important to remain cordial and respectful, no matter how much someone gets on your nerves. At the end of the day, being the bigger person will usually serve you right (unless action really needs to be taken, but that’s a whole different topic).

I bring this up because I’ve had a lot of conversations about how work culture influences friendships, and it truly does. Some of the most meaningful people in your life might come from work. On the flip side, you’ll also meet folks who are clearly just passing through your life for a season, and that’s okay too. Having people at work you genuinely vibe with makes the job feel lighter. You know it’s a real friendship when you’re hanging out outside of work. But let’s be real, some coworkers are best left at work.

Have you ever dealt with someone who repeatedly wronged you at work, but still acts like you two are best friends? Or someone you’ve barely spoken to who insists you’re super close? It’s awkward. Maybe it sounds harsh, but I don’t see it that way, I see it as setting healthy boundaries. We get to choose who we let into our lives and who sticks around. It’s part of protecting our peace and knowing what (and who) serves our journey.

Work/friend culture is weird like that. In jobs like mine, where the team changes often, you learn to value the ones who are consistently there. They’re usually the ones who are meant to be part of your circle, at least for now.