Being a good friend is something most of us want to be, but that does that look like in reality? Sure, your friends and family might tell you that you’re great at it, but the reality is more complex. The truth is we can all do better to be good friends and support the people that are closest to us because we all get things wrong from time to time or simply fall short. Here’s more about what it should mean to be a good friend.
Remain a Loyal Friend Through Good Times and Bad
There are going to be good times and bad times in your life and the same is true for your friends. One of the main benefits of having strong friendships is that they help you through those tough times and offer people to enjoy the good times. You need to be loyal and there for your friend through good and bad if you want to be the best possible friend you can be.
Take an Interest
Taking an interest in your friend, their interests and what’s going on with them and the people in their lives is something that’s always appreciated. If you don’t take an interest, you won’t come across as a very caring friend. It doesn’t take much to ask some questions and take an interest. It shows that you really do care.
Be a Positive Person
Being a more positive person is a great way to feel more appreciated by your friends and to develop closer bonds with them. When you’re not positive about things, it can be a chore to be around you, and that’s the same for all of us. We all enjoy being around people who are positive and make us feel better, so maybe you can try to be that kind of friend.
Deliver Honesty, Sometimes Brutally
Sometimes, you need to be honest with the people closest to you, even when it’s a kind of honesty they don’t want to hear. Friends are there to keep us on track and help us even when we don’t want or feel we need help. If your friend is clearly struggling with a drinking problem, recommending medical detox centers might seem difficult, but it’s something that could change their life for the better. And the same applies to whatever other problems they might be going through,
Giving and Not Taking
By being the person that gives and doesn’t expect anything in return, you’ll become the kind of friend that everyone wants to have. Some friends can act like it’s all about them and like it’s all about taking and giving nothing in return. That’s not the kind of friend you want to be, so try to be the giving kind instead.
Being a good friend and being able to deliver on commitments you’ve made by entering into these long friendships doesn’t need to be too difficult. It all boils down to caring about others and remembering to be a little more selfless from time to time, and that’s something we’re all capable of.
