"Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest. It's about who came, and never left your side." ~ Unknown
I think it should go without saying that friendships are pretty important and nice to have. It’s the true genuine friendships that are rare to find and hard to keep.
Do you have that one absolute true friend that covers all the bases and you can totally be you with, with no inhibitions? Unfortunately, very few of us do.
We usually have different friends for different things. We all have:
- That one friend who you like to go clubbing with.
- The friend you can sit for hours with and solve all of the world’s problems.
- Then there’s the friend that has the best advice in the world.
- And the friend who just wants to cry on your shoulder all the time.
Yes, different friends for different times.
Why is it so hard to maintain great friendships?
There are many reasons.
- Sometimes our egos get in the way.
- Sometimes we realize that we really don’t have much in common with our friend after all or we simply outgrow them.
These are just a few reasons - but let’s have a look at seven ways to have great friendships rather than talk about why they are falling apart.
1. Just be yourself.
When you can be you and your friend can be their true self then you’ve got it made.
You always want to have that safety, so to speak, that no matter what you do or say, or how you act, your friend is going to love you no matter what and accept you for exactly who you are.
It’s not fun to have to hide that silly side of you because you think it may embarrass your friend. A true friend is going to be silly with you.
2. Say goodbye to Debbie Downer.
You’ve been her friend for a while now and you finally realize that all she ever does is whine, complain, moan and bitch.
Her life is going to Hell in a handbasket and she can’t wait to tell you about it
. All the time. You’re a great sounding board, but that’s all you are.
It’s time to say goodbye. Adios, see you later, gotta go. You should be able to confidently tell her your reasons for dumping her on the curb. It may be the eye opener she needs to get out of glum and change her attitude.
3. Give and take without keeping score.
There should never be a scoreboard in the game of giving and receiving. You give without expecting anything in return and you take and accept things graciously and gratefully as gifts because that’s what they are. Gifts.
You can do this with your true friend without ever have to worry about outgiving or overtaking. You do this with each other easily and freely because your bond is strong and tight and you realize the importance of giving, loving and sharing.
4. Nobody is perfect.
Not even you. Remember we’re all going to mess up at one point or another in our life. We’re only human, right?
Your friend may do something absolutely completely dumb, but then again, so might you. Talk it out, figure it out, laugh it off and let it go. We aren’t perfect and we ARE going to mistakes but being able to forgive, forget and move on will be the make it or break it test. That’s the sign of true friendship.
Don't do any of these 8 things - they make you toxic and undesirable!
5. Be trustworthy.
Ok, another one that shouldn’t have to be mentioned but some people struggle with trust for various reasons and some of these reasons have nothing to do with their friendship at all.
If your friend has never given you a reason NOT to trust them, then it’s time to release your trust issues and show her/him they have yours.
Can you be that person that can be trusted 100% all the time? That’s what a true friend needs and wants. Trust. Always. It feels safe.
6. Honesty really is the best policy.
You’re out trying on dresses for an important event you need to attend and you pick out what you think is a beautiful gown, you put it on and your friend gasps.
It clearly looks better on the hanger. Your friend tells you, you laugh, take it off and put it back on the hanger. No hard feelings, total respect and honesty. That’s what friends are for. They tell it like it is and you appreciate their honesty.
7. I’m your #1 fan.
When your friend is rejoicing in something, you genuinely rejoice with them.
- You are happy with their successes and cheer them on to the next victory.
- You share in their joy and have no problem spreading the word about how great they are.
- You’re just as excited as they are and your friend knows it. It shows.
Be that friend. We all need a friend like that.
Use guided meditation and attract great friends easily.
Do you have this kind of friendship? Lucky you. Embrace it. Love it. Cherish it. What ways have you found to maintain a true friendship? Share below.
