Maintain Friendships: Essential to any Relationship
In a rapidly changing and ever-evolving world, it’s becoming more and more difficult to maintain friendships. Many people focus their time and energy on their careers, families, and other responsibilities, leaving little time for socializing. However, maintaining friendships is essential to any relationship. Friendships offer support, comfort, and companionship during challenging times, and they help us celebrate joyous moments as well. In this article, we’ll explore why maintaining friendships is essential and how to go about doing so.
Why is Maintaining Friendships Essential?
As human beings, we’re wired to seek connection and companionship. Friendship is one of the primary ways we fulfill this need. However, over time, it’s easy to let other commitments to take priority over friendships. Here are some reasons why maintaining friendships is crucial to any relationship, be it familial, romantic, or otherwise:
- Support: Friendships offer valuable support during tough times. No one goes through life without facing challenges, whether it’s a difficult breakup, job loss, or a medical diagnosis. Friends can offer a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or accompany you to the doctor’s office. They can offer practical assistance, too, such as helping you move house or running errands when you’re unwell. Knowing that we have a supportive network of friends can make the difference between sinking and swimming in tough times.
- Companionship: As we go through life, we’ll undoubtedly lose some of the people we love. Our parents, grandparents, and even our partners might pass away, leaving us feeling alone. While nothing can fully fill the void left when someone we love dies, friends can offer companionship, and a sense of togetherness. Having someone to chat with over coffee or go on a weekend outing with can help us feel less lonely during those tough times.
- Perspective: When we’re going through challenging situations, it’s easy to get caught up in our own heads. We can become so focused on our problems that we can’t see the bigger picture. Friends can offer a different perspective, help us see things in a new light, or offer solutions we hadn’t considered. They can offer guidance without judgment, which is invaluable when we’re facing a difficult decision.
- Sharing Experiences: Life is full of moments both big and small. Whether it’s a momentous event like a wedding or a small victory like acing a job interview, sharing these experiences with others makes them all the more meaningful. Friends can celebrate with us, making the experience more memorable.
How to Maintain Friendships:
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of maintaining friendships let’s explore some tips on how to do so:
- Make Time: Maintaining friendships requires a commitment of time. While it might feel like you don’t have any to spare, carving out just an hour or two a week can help keep your friendships going. Consider scheduling a recurring coffee or lunch date with a friend. If you’re short on time, consider going on a walk together or catching up via phone or video call.
- Prioritize Communication: Communication is at the heart of any friendship. If we don’t keep in touch with our friends, it’s easy to lose touch with them. Make an effort to communicate regularly with your friends. It can be something as simple as sending a quick text message or sharing a funny meme. Try to keep your conversations positive, focusing on celebrating your friend’s accomplishments and listening when they need to vent.
- Plan Activities: Going out and doing things together is an essential part of maintaining friendships. Plan activities with your friends so you have something fun to look forward to. It can be something as simple as going to see a movie or trying a new restaurant. You could even take a cooking class or go on a weekend getaway together.
- Be Present: When you’re spending time with your friends, try to be present in the moment. Put your phone away, avoid multitasking, and actively engage in the conversation. Being present shows your friends that you value and care about them. It also allows you to enjoy the moment without distractions.
- Show You Care: Small gestures can go a long way in showing your friends you care. Consider sending a thoughtful message, surprising them with a small gift, or offering to help out when they’re going through a tough time. These small gestures show your friends that you’re thinking of them even when you’re apart.
- Be Reliable: When you make plans with your friends, follow through on them. Being reliable shows that you value your friends and prioritize your friendship. Canceling plans at the last minute or frequently being late sends the message that your time is more valuable than theirs.
- Be Forgiving: Friendships are not always smooth sailing. There will be misunderstandings, disagreements, and hurt feelings. Being forgiving is essential to maintaining your friendships and repairing any damage that might arise. Learn to apologize gracefully and forgive quickly.
Conclusion:
Friendships are essential to any relationship. They offer support, companionship, and perspective during tough times and make the good times even better. Maintaining friendships requires a commitment of time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. By prioritizing communication, planning activities together, and showing you care, you can keep your friendships going strong. Remember to be present, reliable, and forgiving, and your friendships will thrive for years to come.