Credit: Vanessa Taxiarchis

WSPN’s Vanessa Taxiarchis reflects on the benefits of sibling relationships.

There’s a unique blessing in having siblings, and the way they affect your growth in the real world. Siblings offer a support system and help you flourish into the person you are. My sisters have always had my back and have taught me almost everything I know about navigating life’s challenges. Not only did my sisters teach me to share toys and space, they taught me to show affection and love.

My sisters have given me a chance to hone my emotional intelligence by allowing me to live vicariously through their life experiences. Without knowing it, my oldest sister, Christina, has shown me what it means to be a calming presence and how to approach challenges the right way. My other sister, Cat, taught me to always stand up for myself and never accept disrespect I don’t deserve.

I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my sisters. A handful of articles show the effects of older siblings on their younger siblings are positive and can benefit the younger sibling while they grow up. This was especially true for me since both of my sisters have taught me how to share things and experiences with others, even when I might not want to. For example, when we were all younger, I never wanted anyone to use my art supplies. However, with my sisters’ guidance, I learned to share and discovered that it made our time together more meaningful and fun. Now, sharing with them, and others, isn’t a burden. It’s an act I cherish as we grow older.

Siblings are the quiet protectors of all our memories. No one else will laugh at the unfunny moments from childhood or remember your biggest fears and wildest dreams from when you were little. Siblings see a version of you that no one else in the world will ever see. You’ll always be the raw, unpolished little kid in their brains, and in today’s world, it’s a breath of fresh air knowing I’m lucky enough to have two people who will always remember me that way.

The greatest gift my parents have given me are my sisters. They push me to be the best version of myself, and I can’t recall a time when either of them let me give up, whether it was on a dream or simply doing my homework. I know I am not the only one that regards their siblings as their biggest motivators. Studies show that having siblings can spark ambition and create a competitive fire that might not have existed otherwise.

Writing this article made me realize how much my sisters have done for me, whether I noticed it in the moment or not. So, Cat and Christina, thank you for everything. I know I might not always express it to you both directly, but I wouldn’t be the person I am today without both of your influences in my life. Just know that as your little sister, no matter how old we get, I will never stop looking up at you guys, and I will always need you guys as my role models.

To everyone reading this article, if you have siblings, please take the time to form a connection with them. Life moves fast and we don’t have the power to slow it down. Speaking for myself, being close to my siblings has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, and I didn’t grasp that till now. So take the chance and reach out to your siblings, cherish the small moments you have, forgive their stupid mistakes and spend as much time with them as possible. One day, you’ll think back to all the memories you have made with them and realize that’s what truly matters.