Will you be my friend? Check yes or no.

I think somewhere between middle school and college I forgot how to make/be a friend. Not that I haven't made new friends in that time, it just always seems to be an accident, like he or she is an unlikely friend, but a great one nonetheless. What I mean is I didn't seek these people out, it just sort of happened, which is totally awesome. 

My problem seems to be making friends with people who are more like myself on a deeper level rather than someone who just happens to be in my class and we got put together for a group project. Actually, even group projects are tricky for me. Usually we drift apart once the project is done. And even more recently I've been reluctant to form bonds with new people, because I plan on making a big move in about a year (we'll see how that goes) and I don't want to get attached, then be devastated when we part ways. I realize this is absolutely ridiculous, because friendships are for a lifetime and are invaluable, but for me they require so much energy, and I've been hurt a lot recently, namely by people I count among my friends. So forging a new friendship is a huge investment of my emotional energy, and I guess I have trouble trusting that the return will be profitable for everyone involved (of course not in a material way, but a spiritual/personal growth way).

I'm not saying there is any type of person I wouldn't want to be close to; you can't judge a book by its cover and you shouldn't judge people at all. I think you have to give everyone a chance, but sometimes you don't give them a chance, or they don't give you a chance, and both of you may be missing out on an awesome bond. I think I've been failing to give a lot of people chances, including myself. My thought process is: "oh I'm too busy" or "well we're graduating in less than a year, so why bother," and I need to get out of that funk. I also need to get better at following through and maintaining contact.

This has been extremely rambling, but I hope it has caused you to think about how you approach new friendships and existing ones. 

Any tips?

KB

PS: It probably doesn't help to walk around with your headphones always in your ears and your nose in a book. #guilty