So much of our time as adults is taken up thinking about the serious things in life —our five-year plan, careers, credit cards or the mortgage. Because of this, it’s crucial that we make time for the things that make us feel good— our friends! When we’re feeling a little bit down in the dumps, lonely or worried, we often turn to our friends for advice. And, when we’re feeling happy, excited, or want to share good news with someone, we pick up the phone and call them too. No matter what we need our friends for, it’s important that we try to keep them close and maintain our solid social circle. Here we look at The Importance of Maintaining Friendships.
The Importance of Maintaining Friendships
What are the benefits of friendships?
Having strong relationships with our friends can benefit us in many ways. Firstly, our friends can be a positive influence. When you surround yourself with people who are generous, funny, non-judgemental, ambitious and honest, these qualities are more likely to rub off on you too.
Friends provide a fantastic support system. If you’re going through a tough time, looking for some truthful advice or need somebody to vent to, those closest to you will offer their encouragement to get you through this period.
Another benefit of maintaining a close social circle is having people there to break you out of your comfort zone. Whether you’ve been wanting to try out a new fitness class, start a new hobby or have a change in career, your friends will provide you with the confidence to go for a new challenge. When it comes to activities such as joining a gym or volunteering, you can even do these things together.
What’s the best way to meet new people?
Be open, be yourself, and start small if that’s what works for you. If there are people you know and like that you haven’t spoken to for a while, begin by reconnecting with them. Send them a short message to see if they’d like to catch up over a coffee and take it from there.
If you are someone who is happier to throw yourself out there, consider attending workshops, courses or signing up to volunteer. Start conversations with your friends’ friends on nights out and say yes to opportunities.
Throughout life you will naturally form friendships with people who have very different personalities and characters, and this is ideal for your different aspects of life. For example, you’ll bond with those who are great at providing emotional support, those who you turn to for the fun times, those who are good at listening and those who introduce you to new people. With amazing friends around you, it’s a lot easier to deal with any challenge that life throws at you.
How do you maintain a strong relationship with your friends?
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This post couldn’t have come at a better time – I’ve let my social life slide sooo much since starting my new job and taking on freelance work. It’s something I’m working on fixing x
The good thing is you are aware and it’s good you are wanting to fix this. Friends are invaluable – we go through so much together and offer so much support. It’s like having a therapist that you like for free 🙂
I don’t get to see my friends too often with family life being so busy but we make sure to have regular movie nights in or lunch dates.
That’s great to hear. I have the same problem but we do try to keep in touch by phone, on social media and arrange meetups as often as we can.
Just like anything good in life, friendship needs time, care and nurture too. Good reminder ❤️
They sure do. Sometimes we forget this when we get caught up in our busy lives x
I have an absolutely AWESOME (small) group of friends and I can’t imagine my life without them. I forget how lucky I am sometimes.
You’re right, it’s really important to have friendships because we really do need to have a nice support system outside of family.
I don’t see my friends as often as I’d like as we are all so busy, but when we do catch up it all just falls back into place
I do struggle sometimes with friendships as the girls I know from school have drifted so much and I’m not great at making new friends, but they are very important x
I have very few friends – yet I totally agree with all these points you’ve made. Friendships are so very important.
This is so true, I have 5 truly close friends and having them in my life means the world to me, there always there for me as I am for them.
Ah I can’t think of not having any friends. I definitely need to have them to moan to, get excited with or just for companionship…
It gets hard to stay as close becuase people’s lives and priorities change. I try to meet with my friends once a week even just for a cup of tea. We try to make that without partners and children so that we can catch up properly then we arrange things with partners a few times a year.
Having moved country and city a few times, i value so much the friends that have endured the lumps and bumps over the years. Facebook, despite its downsides, is also a blessing too at times. Keeping in touch every so often, even silly stuff and sharing a stupid joke, it all counts.