Friends are a huge part of our lives. It’s great to have people who we can share memories and secrets with, laugh with, and cry with. But not all friends are created equal. Some friends will come and go as life goes on, but some will stay for the long haul. And those are the friends that matter the most. These 5 traits will help you to know if you have a true friend or not.
What Makes a True Friend
Friends are the ones you don’t want to hurt. They listen to you when you’re upset, and they’re happy when you’re happy. They have your back. They can laugh with you when things go right, and they can cry with you when they go wrong. You have a true friend when you can depend on them to be there for you, even if they don’t have to be. Friends help you discover the things that make you happy, and they’re always there to help you if you need it. Friends will go out of their way to be with you, even if it’s just to have a quiet drink. And you know that if you need to, you can cry on their shoulder and they won’t just be there for you to comfort you, but will give you advice on how to fix it. Friends are loyal. When you need them, they’re there.
Honesty
Honesty is important to every relationship. There will be times when you’re telling the truth to a friend, and there will be times when you are lying to them. You want to be truthful at all times. Friends know the difference between a friend and an enemy. There is no sense in constantly telling lies to a friend. If you feel like you’re in a situation where you need to lie to your friend, it’s best to rethink the situation and apologize. A true friend will know the difference and will forgive you. Respect Respect is something that you should demand in every friendship. If you respect someone, they will feel honored to be around you. If you respect a friend, they will feel the same about you.
Support
A true friend will give you support, even when you don’t think you need it. It is very easy to start getting consumed in your own life, and neglect the needs of your friends. We get so busy with our own lives that we sometimes forget to check in on them. One way to make sure that you have a friend who will always be there for you is by checking in on them often, and making sure that they know that you’re there to support them. Friends are there to lend an ear, to laugh at your mistakes, and to cry with you when things are bad. Just like that, you know that your friend has your back, and will be there for you whenever you need them. Be there for them, and you will be in the friend zone. Honesty It is hard to be friends with someone who isn’t being completely truthful with you.
Being There for You
A real friend is someone who is ready to do anything to be there for you, even if that means getting involved in an activity that they’re not comfortable with. Being there for someone is such an important trait in a friendship and one that doesn’t happen all that often these days. But if you are fortunate enough to have someone like this in your life, you should be grateful. They’re worth their weight in gold. Consistent Positive Emotions Whether it’s smiling, laughing, and being enthusiastic, or just being supportive, genuine, and compassionate, people with positive emotions are rare but necessary for a real friend. When someone can’t help but show positive emotions, it shows that they truly care and they’re willing to put in the work. And it shows that they’re sincere.
Loyalty
First and foremost, you have to know if your friend is loyal. If someone has you in their life to be a “banker” or a “credit score” for them, then they are probably not your friend. You should never need to worry about how much money you have coming in or how much you owe a friend. You should also feel comfortable enough to tell a friend anything without feeling threatened. If you feel that a friend is hiding things from you or trying to control you, then you have made a mistake. Because of their loyalty, a true friend won’t keep secrets from you. For example, when you are faced with a challenge in your life, a true friend will be there to share your joy and help you through your pain.
Understanding and Acceptance
Understanding and acceptance of your friend’s situation is the first step to having a true friendship. If your friend is going through something difficult, you don’t want to point out the negatives or criticize them for how they feel. Be supportive, but don’t be too hard on them. Having a friend like that will inevitably bring you down, because it will make you feel like you’re not doing enough to help them. But that’s not a true friend, you want a friend who accepts you for who you are. Be empathetic towards your friend’s needs and what they are going through. That’s what they’re looking for. Genuine Support A true friend won’t just say whatever they think to lift you up and help you feel better. They also care about your feelings and your well-being.
Accepting the Good and Bad in Friends
It’s easy to see the positive in a friend. It’s a true friend that will listen to you vent about your boss, a crappy relationship, or a bad day. But it’s also a real friend who will tell you the truth. When your friends don’t agree with you, or you’re fighting with them over something, it can cause an argument, strain the relationship, or end the friendship. I’m very good friends with a girl who goes to a rival school. Her team is ranked number one in the state, and one of the top in the nation. We go to the same church, and we’re both Catholic. When we’re together, she acts like we’re the best of friends, but we’re constantly arguing. And she’s not the only one. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only real friend that she has, and that’s okay.
The Friends That Will Stay with You Till the End
1. They don’t judge you. You can be the biggest bitch and your best friend will still love you. The hardest part of being a friend is learning to know when to just keep your mouth shut and when to speak up. You don’t need to talk all the time with your friends. But they do need to let you know when something is wrong or they are unhappy. 2. They laugh with you. If your friends are laughing at your jokes, then they care about you. Just remember, your friends don’t all think the same things as you. We all have different ways of looking at things, different perspectives, and different ideas. So don’t try to have the same outlook on everything. What you do share, you should cherish. 3. They make you a better person. A true friend knows that you have weaknesses.
