6 tips to maintain your friendship
Friends are essential in our lives as they make us feel loved and supported. However, as we become adults, it becomes challenging to keep in touch. According to a study, at the age of 25, both men and women have the most social connections. However, as adults focus on their careers and personal relationships, their social networks quickly contract, and their friendships frequently fall by the wayside.
If you value your friends and want a lasting and meaningful relationship, here are tips you can use.
Make time for your friend
Cultivating long-lasting friendships entails laying a solid foundation, resolving disagreements and misunderstandings, and expressing gratitude for the person’s presence in your life. All of these necessitate staying in touch with your friends, not only online but also offline.
Staying connected entails making spontaneous phone calls and chatting online. It also involves making time for face-to-face meetings, which are essential for maintaining strong bonds.
Setting boundaries
Creating boundaries helps to sustain a healthy relationship. You must communicate your boundaries to your friend and listen to their limits. By openly talking about what you’re not comfortable with, you will avoid conflicts that may ruin your friendship.
Establish trust
Sharing your likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, mistakes and accomplishments inspires your friend to do the same and helps you develop a genuine connection. When your friend opens up about their personal life, it is a step toward creating a true friendship. Create a space where they feel safe to share anything with you. Establishing trust requires practising honesty and transparency, keeping secrets, and genuinely caring about your friend’s well-being.
Settling disagreements maturely
Instead of allowing resentment to fester, work through conflicts by expressing what’s on your mind. You should not persuade your friend to agree with your points of view but encourage dialogue. If you want to maintain your friendship, don’t try to instil fear, obligation, or guilt or use any emotional blackmail.
Remind them you care
If you want to form strong, long-lasting friendships, you should continue to show your friends that you care. You may assume they know you care about them, but it is always nice to be reminded, even if they do.
READ ALSO: Tips to set boundaries in your friendships
Be honest and non-judgemental
Friendships are built on trust through sharing and keeping each other’s secrets. Any strong and long-lasting relationship requires honesty. As a supportive friend, be ready to listen and give an open and honest response. It would help if you observed your reactions, although you might disagree with what they say or do. Be empathetic and do not judge them. Making an effort to show empathy and compassion will also help your friend feel supported and appreciated.
In conclusion…
Juggling between your personal life and friendship doesn’t have to be complicated. Doing small things, such as reminding them what they mean to you or giving them a call, will go a long way in building a solid relationship.
Photo featured: MindBodyGreen
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