Maintaining a good relationship between friends may not be as complicated as managing a romantic relationship, but it still needs hard work from all involved parties. It may not be as hard as saving a marriage that’s on the rocks, but it’s also as hard as trying to crush a river rock into powder with just a hammer.
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Be a good listener.
Listening is a skill that’s underrated. It is said that we were given two ears and one mouth to listen the more and speak the less.
Listening is crucial to any relationship. It lets you hear out what’s inside a person’s heart and mind. Listening allows you to create a more intimate connection with each other. Master this skill for it will be handy in all of your relationships.
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Embrace and accept your differences.
We are all unique with different personalities and temperaments. The sooner we understand that, the sooner we can accept our differences.
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Be honest and truthful at all times.
Agree to always be honest with each other, even if it hurts. Learn how to always speak the truth in love.
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Talk about the small and petty stuff.
Long and lasting friendships don’t always talk about meaningful things all the time. Most of the time, it’s the small and trivial stuff that makes friendships lots of fun.
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Never make assumptions about each other.
While it’s easy to say you know how the other person thinks, never make any assumptions about them. Always give them the benefit of the doubt.
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Forgive.
If you truly value your friendship, learn to look past offenses no matter how big they are. Forgiving unconditionally brings healing to both parties, restores the relationship, and makes it stronger.
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Take advantage of the new technology (and old ones).
All the cool tech we have now makes it easier to keep in touch with friends even if you live in different parts of the world. A simple video call via Skype or chatting via personal messaging platforms helps people touch base daily.
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Take the time to really talk to each other.
As much as technology has been such a boon, sometimes it also distracts you from connecting with your friends, especially when you’re together. Whenever you’re with friends, put away your gadgets and spend time talking to each other.
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Be intentional.
Understandably, different schedules will prevent frequent get-togethers. Be intentional in your meet-ups and make plans to regularly see each other. Stick to your plans and commit to it as much as you can.
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Leave your pride behind.
Pride comes before a downfall. Many friendships have been destroyed by people’s pride and ego. Part of being a good friend is loving sacrificially, including swallowing your pride.
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Pick up where you left off the last time you were together.
You might not see each other as often as you want to, but you can always pick up where you left off the last time.
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Take trips down memory lane together.
Nostalgia serves as a wonderful glue that makes lifetime friends stick together. Take the time to reminisce about the good and bad times you went through together. This helps solidify your bond.
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Make new memories together.
Just like any relationship, memories built together make for a good foundation for friendships. Those memories are probably one of the best reasons why you’re holding on dearly to your friendship. Even if you’ve been long-time pals, continue to make new memories to add to your treasure chest.
Friends who stick closer than a brother or sister are few and far between. If you’ve already found one, work hard at keeping the relationship. They are some of your greatest blessings in life.
