Ankur Warikoo and his sister played together every day for 15 years; now they talk twice a month. He shares why siblings sometimes drift apart

Sibling relationships can begin with everyday moments that seem ordinary at the time, only to become some of the most precious memories later in life. Ankur Warikoo recently reflected on how his relationship with his sister changed as they grew older. From spending almost every day together during childhood to speaking only once or twice a month, he explained how college, relationships, marriage and separate homes gradually created distance. His message is a heartfelt reminder not to take sibling bonds for granted.

Ankur Warikoo on how siblings drift apart

Ankur Warikoo took to social media and shared a personal reflection about his relationship with his sister. He recalled that for around 15 years, the two siblings probably played together every day. Their childhood was filled with simple experiences they shared constantly. They played, ate, studied, danced and had fun together. Warikoo described growing up with his sister as “incredible”, remembering a time when they were together almost all the time.

Today, however, their lives look very different. He said they now speak perhaps “once or twice a month”.

How life slowly creates distance between siblings

According to Warikoo, the distance did not appear because of one major event. It happened gradually as life changed. First came college. Then his move to the US. His love life and marriage followed, while his sister also built a life of her own. Eventually, they had separate homes. “Slowly, the distance grew,” Warikoo wrote. It is a familiar pattern for many siblings. Childhood offers endless opportunities to spend time together because families often live under the same roof and share much of their daily routine.

Adulthood changes that rhythm. Careers, relationships, marriage, responsibilities and geographical distance can all make regular conversations less frequent.

The bond remains even when conversations become rare

Despite the distance, Warikoo said something important remained unchanged. He wrote that somewhere, the feeling stayed that his sister was the person who had “seen me from the very beginning”. That shared history is what makes sibling relationships unique. A sibling may not be part of your everyday life anymore, but they have witnessed different versions of you, from childhood memories to the person you eventually become. Warikoo pointed out that after parents and the partner a person chooses, a sibling is part of a relationship that “will always be family”.

Yet, he believes this is also the relationship people can easily put on autopilot.

Why siblings can become an afterthought

Warikoo's observation is that siblings do not necessarily drift apart because they stop caring. Instead, people often assume the relationship is permanent. He highlighted the thoughts that can quietly lead to less communication: “They will always be there” and “We can talk tomorrow.” That assumption can make today’s conversation feel less urgent. But tomorrow can keep getting postponed.

For Warikoo, the solution does not have to involve a grand gesture or a lengthy conversation. Sometimes, reconnecting can begin with just one small message.

‘Send a Hey’: Ankur Warikoo’s simple advice

Warikoo encouraged people to reach out to their siblings with something as simple as a “Hey”, “Yo” or “Bro”. The message does not need to be profound. It could simply be an acknowledgement that you are thinking about them. And if siblings respond in their typical teasing or insulting way, Warikoo sees that differently too. He joked that they will probably “fire back an insult”, but that this can be their way of saying, “I love you.”

For Warikoo, that small exchange can be enough to brighten the day.

Ankur Warikoo’s message about family and growing up

Warikoo's reflection captures one of the quieter realities of growing up. The people we once saw every day can gradually become people we speak to only occasionally, not because the relationship has disappeared, but because life has become busier. Sometimes, preserving a sibling bond does not require finding hours in a busy schedule. It can start with a message that simply says “Hey.”