Eleven ways to be a good friend

During adolescence and youth it is easy to think that we will always have good friends. But, as time goes by and we enter adulthood, it is normal for our circle of friends to shrink to a few people. There, we realize that Establishing and maintaining a friendship is not always an easy task. and that many times we need to be a good friend in order to have good friends.

A true friendship requires that we constantly put into practice a series of dynamics that make the bond genuine and satisfying. Well, good friends do not come into our lives without us doing our part. That is why, below, we show some keys that will allow us to establish exemplary links.

What does it mean to be a good friend?

First of all, we must keep in mind that true friendship refers to a emotional relationship based on trust, honesty, respect, affection, support and unconditionality.

Therefore, a good friend is one who loves us deeply, cares about us selflessly, desires our well-being at all costs and supports us when we need it most.

That is why it is difficult not only to get someone like that, but also to be that way with others.

Characteristics of good friends

Good friends are recognizable at first glance and generally have the following traits:

They are authentic with their friendsThey do not pretend to be someone they are not. They show their affection with details that they know their partner will like.They don’t talk bad about their friends behind their backs..Dedicates quality time to his friends. He constantly communicates with his friends.He offers his support through thick and thin.He knows his friends very well.You know how to listen and respect your partner’s perspective, even if you don’t agree. In other words, he is empathetic.

11 ways to be a good friend

That said, if you want to be a good friend, it is important that you implement the following actions.

1. Listen to them actively

Good friends know how to listen and take the time to understand each other’s situation.. While it seems easy, this is not always the case. Well, most people just wait for the other person to finish speaking so they can say what they think, without making an effort to understand how the other person may be feeling and what they may be thinking.

Likewise, it is common to interrupt before the other person finishes speaking, thus monopolizing the conversations and not leaving space for the other person to express themselves.

Therefore, when a friend tells us about his affairs, Let’s focus only on listening and trying to understand everything he is telling us.. And if we don’t understand something, let’s ask.

2. Offer them support

A good friend also offers support at all times, especially during difficult times. This implies Let the other know that we are willing to help them with whatever they needas long as it is in our hands.

Also, if we promise to help you with something specific It is important that we keep our word. And if in the end we cannot comply, we must let them know and explain the situation.

3. Learn to ask for forgiveness and forgive

No human being is perfect, so it is normal for us to make mistakes in our relationships and, unintentionally, hurt others. In these cases, It is important that we recognize our mistakes and apologize.

To do this, it is vital that we be honest, explain the misunderstanding and try to repair the situation as appropriate. Well, empty apologies are of no use.

Likewise, if it was your friend who made the mistake, We must give him the opportunity to apologize and forgive him.

4. Be authentic

For your part, if we want to be a good friend, We must be honest with ourselves and show ourselves as we are.. If we appear to be a different person, sooner or later they will realize our true essence and they will most likely feel deceived.

Let’s remember what we said at the beginning, a good friendship is built on sincerityand if this is not present from the beginning, we will be creating a deception.

5. Dedicate quality time to them

As an adult it is difficult to make time to spend time with friends, especially due to the amount of duties we face on a daily basis. However, It is necessary that we always set aside time to share with them.

It doesn’t have to be every day, but try to maintain consistency in the meetings.. This will not only help keep the friendship strengthened, but will also help us foster moments of leisure and enjoyment, vital for our own well-being.

6. Avoid talking about them behind their backs

Speaking badly about others and spreading rumors about them is not typical of good friends. ANDThese acts violate trust, confidentiality and fidelity in any relationship.so avoid them at all costs.

In addition, prevent other people from saying bad or unfounded things about your friend. Until you’ve heard his side of the story, he treats comments that don’t support him as rumors and gossip. And if someone says something that surprises you and doesn’t seem in line with your friend’s actions, he responds by saying something like: I know him and that doesn’t seem right.

7. Respect them

Being a good friend also requires be respectful of the values, beliefs and decisions of otherseven if they are not in line with ours.

If you want your friend to trust you, You should feel comfortable expressing your opinions that you may not agree with.. On the other hand, if your friend believes that you will destroy what he communicates to you, his friendship will not be valued.

Keep in mind that sometimes your friends will tell you things that you find boring, uncomfortable, or annoying. But, If you answer them, you will give them the opportunity to express themselves without judging them.. In these cases, you can show your disagreement, but always respecting them and their point of view.

8. Be detailed

The small details are also a sign of true friendship, since It reminds them that they are important to us and that we have a lot of affection for them. Among them is remembering their birthdays, giving them things they like, inviting them to plans they can enjoy, calling or visiting them when they are sick, etc.

9. Avoid excluding them

A good friend does not allow his friends to feel left out. Therefore, If you start dating other people or have a new partner, avoid putting him aside.. This does not mean that you include them in all your plans, but that you remember that they are there for you and that, from time to time, it is important to reserve a space to share with them.

10. Give him space when he needs it

A good friendship does not mean that we are with our friends all the time., because it is also important that everyone has their space. Therefore, if any of them tells you that they want to be alone or share with other people, we must distance ourselves and respect their space.

The least we should do is take offense or demand their attention. Remember that they also have a lifewhere they must attend to personal matters and share with other loved ones.

11. Accept your friend as they are

Finally, if we want our friendships to prosper, We should not try to change friends or make them see the world from our perspective.. Remember that we are all unique beings and our friends should feel comfortable showing their true essence. Real good friends love each other deeply despite their differences.

To conclude, we emphasize that A good friendship is not born overnight. and that these actions must be maintained at all times if we want to be a good friend.

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