How to Be a Great Friend
Being a great friend is an important aspect of life, and it requires effort and commitment. Here are some ways to show your friends that you really care about them:
Be Supportive
Friends are there to support each other through tough times. Offer emotional support, encouragement, and help when needed. It's cliche, but be the friend you would want to have!
Be Honest
Honesty is vital in any relationship, including friendship. Be truthful, even if it's not what your friend wants to hear. I, personally, don't believe in sugar coating things... my friends know about my harsh truths and don't ask for them if they don't want them.
Listen Actively
Listening is a crucial aspect of friendship. Be attentive and show interest in what your friend is saying, and avoid interrupting them. This is a skill we could all work on in many places in our lives - start with your friendships!
Respect Boundaries
Everyone has their boundaries, and it's important to respect them. Avoid pushing your friend beyond their limits or making them feel uncomfortable. Everyone wants to live their life on their terms, help your friends do that!
Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key to any healthy relationship. Express your feelings and thoughts openly and respectfully, and try to understand your friend's perspective. We usually hear this when it comes to intimate relationships, but we have to remember that this is important for our friendships as well.
Show Appreciation
Let your friend know that you value their friendship. Take the time to show gratitude, celebrate their achievements and be there for them during difficult times. Find out their love language and take notes! This is another thing that we usually refer to with intimate relationships, but making sure your friend feels appreciated the way that feels good for them is important!
Be Dependable
Being a reliable friend means keeping your promises, being punctual, and showing up when your friend needs you. Don't be a shitty friend.
Embrace Your Differences
Everyone has different opinions, beliefs, and personalities. Respect and embrace your friend's differences and learn from them. Recognizing your differences and learning about them can be an awesome way to practice personal growth as well!
Have Fun
Friendship should be fun. Find activities you both enjoy doing and have fun together. They don't have to be expensive or time consuming - it doesn't have to be instagrammable - it just has be fun.
Forgive and Apologize
No one is perfect, and conflicts are bound to happen. Learn to forgive and apologize when necessary, and work together to resolve any issues. If you're focusing on having good communication and speaking up about boundaries, you should also be able to forgive and apologize. These things work hand in hand, and make for lifelong friendships.
Remember, especially as we get older, good friends are hard to come by! Great friends will always be there for you, support you, and cherish the memories you make together.
