It’s not just romantic relationships that require effort, maintaining friendships takes work too! Even though we have social media and texting, it can still be tough to stay close to friends. Friendship is an essential part of life, especially when we are still young and trying to figure out who we are and what we want out of life. As we navigate through this transitional period, our friendships can provide a sense of stability and support.
However, despite our best intentions, it can be challenging to keep friendships going strong. Granted, we all change as we grow older and our interests and perspectives shift, now add that on top of the busy schedules, work, and personal commitments that we all have. It’s no surprise that it’s easy to lose touch with our friends, even those we once considered our closest confidants.
So, what can you do to keep your friendships intact and growing? Firstly, it’s essential to prioritize your friendships and make time for them. Schedule regular catch-ups, whether it’s a quick coffee or a more extended catch-up. Make an effort to stay in touch through social media, texting, or video calls, as this can be a great way to bridge the distance and stay connected. Be willing to adapt, to compromize, and communicate openly and honestly.
Having a close friend is one of the most meaningful relationships we can have in our lives, yet it’s also one of the most difficult to maintain. We often find ourselves in a situation where we’ve made friends only for the friendship to slowly start fading away. But what if you could prevent that from happening? From communication tips to understanding the importance of compromise, we have got some tips that we believe will help you build strong connections and make your friendships last forever!
What makes a friendship last?
Many people believe that the key to a lasting friendship is finding someone with similar interests. However, this is not always the case. It is possible to have lasting friendships with people who have different interests from you. Now you may ask, So, what makes a friendship stand the test of time?
Firstly, it’s all about the effort you put in. Just like any other relationship, friendships require time and attention to grow and develop. It’s essential to prioritize your friendships and make time for your friends, even when life gets busy. Whether it’s a quick coffee catch-up or a weekend away together, making an effort to stay connected is crucial.
When you are on the hunt for new friends, look for those with who you share common values and goals, not necessarily interests, as these are always changing. Having common values and goals gives you something to bond over and makes it easy for you to support each other through thick and thin because you both are working towards the same goals.
Communication, communication! everyone always talks about how communication is important in every situation. They are not wrong, when creating lasting relationships, having healthy and open communication is key. Be open and honest with your friends, even when it’s uncomfortable, listen to their concerns, and be supportive.
You don’t always have to agree on everything, but being able to appreciate and respect each other’s differences is a sign of a healthy friendship.
Ultimately, the friendships that last are the ones where both parties are willing to put in the effort, communicate openly, and be there for each other through any circumstance that may present itself.
The secret to developing meaningful friendships
Developing friendships can be challenging, but when you find those special connections that last a lifetime, it’s worth all the effort. Before you build new friendships, you first need to work on yourself.
Here is an article we wrote on 10 Simple Habits To Build A Stronger Relationship With Yourself, that will help you build a strong relationship with yourself first so you have the capacity to accommodate others.
For building lasting relationships, here are some secrets to guide you:
1. Be Authentic
The key to developing meaningful friendships is being authentic. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not to impress others. Instead, be yourself and let your personality shine through. Authenticity will attract people who appreciate you for who you are and lead to more meaningful connections.
2. Be a Good Listener
Being a good listener is an important skill in any relationship, including friendships. Listening to your friends shows that you care about them and are interested in what they have to say. It also helps you understand their perspectives and feelings, which can strengthen the bond between you.
Instead of merely waiting for your chance to talk, pay close attention to what the other person is saying, and unless absolutely necessary, try to refrain from interjecting or changing the topic of the conversation.
3. Make Time for Your Friends
Making time for your friends is essential. Even with busy schedules, it’s important to prioritize your friendships and make time for catch-ups and activities together. Whether it’s a quick coffee or a weekend away, quality time spent with friends is always a good idea.
Here is an article where I list my favorite destinations for the next trip with your friend group: 5 Incredible Getaways For An Unforgettable Girls Trip
4. Show Support and Empathy
Supporting your friends through tough times and celebrating their successes shows that you care about them and are invested in their well-being. Similarly, being empathetic and understanding their feelings can help them feel heard and valued.
5. Share Common Interests
Even though I mentioned that common interests are not the most essential, they can be beneficial, especially at the beginning of the friendship when you still don’t quite know each other that well.
Having common interests and activities is an excellent way to bond with friends. Sharing hobbies, passions, or even workout routines can help you develop a deeper connection. It also provides opportunities for fun and memorable experiences together. Once you know of a hobby or interest that both of you enjoy, then practice that hobby more often, and keep the conversation going by asking questions and showing genuine interest in what the other person has to say.
6. Communicate Openly and Honestly
Being able to express your thoughts and feelings to your friends and listening to theirs can help prevent misunderstandings and build trust. So, always try to communicate openly and honestly, even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging.
Communication is so important that I wrote another article: How To Talk To People: A Guide to Having a Conversation, to show you step-by-step how to improve your communication skills.
Remember that relationships take time and effort to develop. Do not expect instantaneous results and do not get discouraged if things do not progress as quickly as you would like. Just enjoy getting to know the other person and building a lasting friendship one step at a time.
How to Strengthen Existing Friendships
So, what about the friendships you already have? Well, it is important to find ways to maintain those as well. Maintaining existing friendships can be just as challenging as developing new ones. Here are a few tips to help you maintain that bond.
- Make an effort to stay in touch
- Show your appreciation for your friends
- Let them know how much you value their friendship
- Do simple gestures, such as sending a thoughtful text or a gift
- Check-in on them
- Be there for them when they need you
Signs of an unhealthy friendship
When it comes to developing and maintaining lasting friendships, it’s important to be able to identify the signs of an unhealthy one so you can avoid them.
Unhealthy friendships can often be disguised as looking healthy on the surface, but there are usually tell-tale signs that something is off. If you’re not sure whether or not your friendship is healthy, here are some signs to look out for:
- You frequently feel drained after spending time with your friend.
- Your friend is always the one talking, and you feel like you can’t get a word in.
- Your friend regularly puts you down or criticizes you.
- You don’t feel like you can be yourself around your friend.
- You find yourself making excuses not to spend time with your friend.
If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to take a step back and reassess your friendship. While it’s normal for friendships to go through ups and downs, if you consistently feel bad after spending time with someone, it might be time to move on.
Trust your instincts and take the time to think about what you want out of a friendship. With the right people in your corner, you can create an amazing and supportive network that will help you reach your goals.
A word from Omihoop
Making meaningful friendships takes effort, but the rewards are well worth it. By understanding the power of empathy, standing up for yourself and others, and developing a genuine interest in your friends’ lives, you can build relationships that will last for years to come. With these tips in hand, there’s no limit to how many strong bonds you can create!
