A strong friendship takes time, effort, and trust. It has to be mutually built on a strong foundation with transparency. Here are 10 signs of a good friend.
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Importance of a good friend
A good friend makes a positive impact on your life. They’ll hold you accountable, make life more enjoyable, boost your self-esteem, and support you through tough times.
Whether it’s a romantic relationship or a genuine friendship, it’s important to build a strong foundation.
Related: Kris Wolfe’s relationship tips
Instead of spending time with people who bring you down or make you feel bad, spend more time with people who lift you up and make you happy. Building a strong friendship doesn’t happen without effort.
As you change and grow, the friendship will need to adapt as well. You and your friend may feel uncomfortable during times of change but to maintain a strong friendship, make sure you communicate well.
10 signs of a strong friendship
That said, the following are 10 signs of a strong friendship:
1. They like the real you
Whether you have weird habits or are insecure about certain things, a good friend isn’t judgemental and likes you for who you are.
You don’t have to prove yourself or be someone you’re not, instead, you’ll be accepted and they won’t try to change who you are.
2. Honesty
Honesty is vital for any friendship. Have you ever tried to hide something or lie because you knew it would hurt the other person? In the end, covering things up or lying hurts more than the truth.
Being able to have difficult conversations and be honest in everything will help you build strong friendships.
3. Trust
Trust will lead to a deeper connection. Being able to trust someone, allows you to have meaningful conversations and become vulnerable to the other person.
It means that you can count on each other. If you can share something personal about yourself and know that your friend won’t tell anyone else, that’s a sign of trust.
4. Belief
A friend who believes in you will strengthen you and keep you going when times are tough. If you don’t have the self-confidence or hope to achieve one of your dreams, the belief of a friend will give you the power to continue moving forward.
5. Personal space
A great friendship requires independence and personal space. Both, you and your friend, should be able to have their personal space when needed. It shouldn’t feel like you have to be together all the time. There are times people need space and want to be alone, that’s perfectly normal.
5. Equality
A strong friendship means that both of you are on the same level. This means that decisions aren’t always being made by the same person while the other just follows along.
Whether it’s a big decision or a minor one such as picking a movie to see, make sure both of you have a say and that there’s equality in the friendship.
6. Joy and laughter
What’s a friend without fun? Joy and laughter are essential parts of a strong friendship. Having a good time together will help your bond and you’ll feel relaxed.
7. Respect
Your friends have different perspectives, make different decisions, and can make choices you don’t agree with. This ties back to accepting the person for who they truly are, respect your friend and make sure they respect you too.
8. Compliments
Compliments and kind words can fade over the years. Genuine compliments will keep a positive friendship and show that you both still care. Words of affirmation can make a big difference in your friendship.
9. Intentionally spend time together
Life gets busy. People get caught up with family, work, careers, hobbies, and other commitments. Don’t forget to intentionally set aside time for your friends and a good friend will do the same for you. Connecting in person will help the relationship flourish differently than a text or phone call.
10. Gratitude
Gratitude is an important sign of a strong friendship. When friends show that they’re grateful for each other, it makes the other person feel like they matter and that they’re truly loved. Gratitude is essential for growth in friendships.
Conclusion
It’s worthwhile to strengthen the friendships in your life. There’s no relationship without bumps. However, learning how to be a good friend and understanding if it’s being reciprocated will ensure a healthy and strong friendship.
Additional friendship resources
Want to learn more about making friends or having good relationships? The following are a few more resources:
Featured photo courtesy of Unsplash.
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