Who doesn’t love having someone around, someone in times of need, a lending shoulder to cry on, or an ear that would listen, sans judgments of any kind? And over here, we aren’t talking about lovers but friends. In fact, having a friend is like having a soulmate with whom you can interact, act all buffoons, and be just as you are. It is such a circle of close people that makes lives easier to live, through thick and thin, or simply enjoying a brew on a cold winter evening.
Friends help you shed inhibitions, interact, and communicate well with one another. And when you meet the right circle of friends, a lot goes into making that friendship last. Now take a deep breath and count your blessings, for you have a friend in us, someone who will tell you how to maintain a friendship with those close to you.
Just as in any relationship, friendship too has its ups and downs. They say where there are no fights in friendship, it gets monotonous and boring. Imagine going through the rigmarole of our daily lives and not having someone to share it with. Certain things can be shared with parents or elders at home, even your cousins too. However, the naughtiest and darkest of all secrets can be safely shared with friends. This is because true friends will never judge. They understand your situation and circumstances and advise you accordingly.
Tips on Maintaining a Friendship that Ever Lasting Bond:
1. Just because he or she is your best friend, you need to have your own space and give them their space too. This means no jumping on their backs at all times and no breathing down their neck. Good friendship happens when you don’t take each other’s space for granted and yet spend quality time with one another, even if it is for a couple of hours a week. Don’t be a stalker and don’t ruin their love lives by assuming things about their partner’s ways and habits. Be unbiased when giving advice, especially in matters of the heart.
Find reasons to be close to one another, keep each other updated on what’s happening in your lives, and plan outings together. However, remember that space is needed, so give each other time to be with your own loved ones as well.
See More: How To Improve Your Friendship
2. You need to be reliable to prove trustworthiness, and that is very important. Quality friends are rare to find, hence be a rarity yourself – someone who your friend can depend on and rely on. If you flake out now and then, a potential best friend might walk away because there are others who are willing to hear, listen, and be there to take care of them and their needs.
However, that doesn’t mean that you become a doormat. Maintain your dignity when possible. Learn to say NO if you cannot commit at the moment. Let them know that you are in their thoughts just as they are in yours, and there are a million ways to do that. Maybe send a text message to their phone once in a while, or a WhatsApp emoticon, or maybe use social networking sites to stay connected. Show them that you are around in spirit and will be in person soon too.
See More: Advice On Friendship Problems
Make an Effort to Be the Best a Friend:
We all can be good friends with everyone. But it takes a loving heart, full of care and understanding, to become best friends forever. So, which one are you?
See More: How To Be Friends Again After A Fight
How to maintain a friendship, it’s important to communicate openly and honestly, listen actively, and be willing to compromise and apologize when necessary. It’s also important to be respectful of each other’s boundaries and to avoid gossiping or talking behind each other’s backs.
