How to Be a Good Friend

Besides helping you during hard times, friendship can improve your confidence and make it more difficult to fall into unhealthy lifestyles. However, there are certain things to consider when cultivating this type of relationship to make the most out of it.

5-Minute Crafts has prepared a guide with some tips to help you become a good friend and improve your bonds with those who are closest to you.

1. Embrace your differences.

It’s very unlikely that all your friends will show the same interests and have the same hobbies as you. Therefore, it’s important to keep your mind open, even if your interests don’t seem to coincide with theirs. You can always give these activities a try to find out if you enjoy them just like your friends do. However, if you don’t like them, remember that good friends are supposed to encourage each other despite not having the same interests.

✅ Keep in mind that a good friend respects boundaries and gives the other person space to be themselves.

2. Make time for your friends.

Shared experiences and quality time are both essential aspects of a friendship. So it’s important to make time for your friends and prioritize spending your free time with them. At the same time, it’s advisable to make the most out of your time together by looking for fun and special experiences that nourish your bond and keep it alive.

💡 Remember to stay in contact with your friends by calling or texting them. Even if you don’t live close to each other, this may show them that you’re there if they need you.

3. Pay close attention to detail.

Reading between the lines is an important trait of a good friend because it shows that you’re paying attention to the other person and know them well. Keep in mind that a good friend takes the time to understand their friends’ feelings.

✅ Make sure to allow your friends to be vulnerable and share their emotions with you.

💡 Let your friends know how much they mean to you, as this can make a huge difference in how they’re feeling.

4. Care for your friends.

Be ready to stand up for your friends and act correctly if you notice that they’re not being treated well or that they’re being put in a difficult situation. Always remember that a good friend is willing to do the right thing, even if the result isn’t beneficial to them.

Moreover, being a good friend also means being up to make a tough decision if your friend is at risk and looking for help, even without their approval. Although this may seem like a hard thing to do, keep in mind that your main goal is to protect your friend, and that’s all that matters.

5. Listen and offer your help if necessary.

When having a conversation with your friends, make sure to listen to what they’re telling you without interrupting them. Remember that in a healthy friendship, both people show interest in what the other person is saying.

Here, it’s important to make an effort to understand problematic situations from your friend’s perspective. You may ask questions if you need to, however, the main objective is to listen, even if you don’t have all the answers.

💡 Even though it’s advisable not to assume that a friend is asking for your advice, it’s a good idea to find out what they need and offer your help and support if you feel concerned and are willing to be there for them. This way, you will know exactly what they consider helpful during difficult times.

✅ Remember not to be judgmental and keep private details to yourself.