Friendship. We fall into them and we fall out of them. When we are young some of our best friends become a long lost memory and some stick around. As we grow up and approach adulthood we move away and start a completely different life than the one we spent 17+ years in. It’s a good life and part of growing. You start to make new friends and you go through the whole process all over again. Adulting has it’s ups and downs but one of the downers is you get so darn busy and it only gets busier the older you get. Spouses and babies start coming into the equation and your time is no longer your time anymore. So how do you make time for friends despite a busy life? How do you keep your friendships strong?
1. Make Time
Even if you have to physically write into your planner around all the other things in life that you’re involved in, do it. Relationships are an important balance of life and if you don’t have quality girl time, then your life can really get thrown off the tracks. Having friends and friend time can help you destress, define priorities, support you during tough times, and help you feel connected.
2. Show that you care
A phone call or text can go a long way when it comes to friendships. Calling to see how a friend is or sending over a quick text to show them you’re thinking about them can really support your bond. Think about it. Isn’t it nice when you get a text from a friend you haven’t heard from in a while. They took the time to show that they are thinking of you and care how you are. It takes two to tango baby.
3. Appreciate them
Knowing someone for a long period of time can result in taking them for granted. Thank them for always being there for you and how much you appreciate them. Surprising them with a favorite food or sending them a card just because, can help them feel appreciated. It’s the little things that count.
4. Build Trust
What is friendship without trust? It’s so important to have this trust and dependability. I mean would you want to hang out with someone that talks behind your back or is constantly flaking on you? No thank you. Be dependable. Show that their secrets are safe with you and that they can come to you about anything. I am the holder of some deep secrets and deep in my soul is where they will stay. Be that girl.
5. Release your inner child together
Don’t forget to have fun! Yes we’re adults now but you’re never too old to act goofy and just let your inner child out to play!
These are things that have to be practiced regularly to sustain a good friendship. Without the appreciation, trust, caring, and goofing around friendships start to wilt. Think of relationships as a flower. You have to give it all the things mentioned above (the water) in order for it to grow.
What are some of your tips to a thriving friendship?
How do you make time or show appreciation?
Let me know in the comments below.
I love these. Great tips!
Thank you LaNeshe 🙂
love your tips, especially #5! so easy to forget to have fun because we are all buried in work!
It really is. Definitely need to make time to have fun and be a goofball 🙂
I have made it a priority this year to spend more time with my friends. We don’t meet up often but we have a whatsapp group where we all keep in touch and it’s been such a good way to maintain our friendships and stay in the loop with each other. Next week I get to see some of them and yes, we’re going to be acting like children like we always do!
This was one of mind too. A lot of my friends have moved away but we still try to meet up at least once a year. I hope you’re having fun with your friends. 🙂
It seems like we hold romantic relationships to a higher standard than friendships and it’s wrong. Yes they are different but why is it you are a bad partner if you don’t make time for your partner but it’s okay to not make time for friends?
This is such a great list. I try to be my best to be a good friend but the older I get the less accepting I am of crappy friends. I’ve had too many friends fall off the face of the earth and then not understand that I was done trying to make time for someone who doesn’t make time for me.
Oh I know! It doesn’t make sense because most of your friends you have known longer and have connected in such a different way. I also try to make times for my friends but a lot I have lost touch with or they haven’t made effort to reach back. The best ones always survive though. 🙂