It’s possible that up until now, all your friends have been 20-something women who work in fashion. Why are so many people drawn to conspiracy theories in times of crisis? If a friend shares a secret with you, make sure you keep that forever. Posting general status updates (“Just ate breakfast! A real friend isn't there just for the good times: celebrations, happy events, when you're in a good mood... they're there for you in times of pain…, If you see someone hurting, it can be easy to not do or say anything. Once these conditions are met, they have to stay that way. Exposing a friend’s secrets to others and/or using that information against them is a sign of betrayal. Say you two used to go bowling together every week, but you haven’t been in touch for a year. That means, at certain times in our life, when we have less time (e.g., when we just had kids), we may be more frugal with our friendships. This doesn’t mean you should always be like an open book, but your friends should be able to see you as a person, both good and not-so-good aspects. (2017). You don’t have to call them up or text them every day, the only important thing is that you keep the communication. For your inner circle, the people you go out with the most, I recommend once a week; or twice a month if you can’t do it every week. If it happens in a friendship, in yours, don’t get discouraged right away. Don’t use it against them. Check out that local lecture on modern literature or sign up for a sushi-making class. One of you did something and refuses to apologize or maybe you just disagree on whose fault it is. It happens to the best of us. You might find your happiness quotient sliding up when you do. There are a lot of factors that can cause you to lose friends.
Older people aren’t willing to take that risk.
Friends might be upset at first if it's something they don't want to hear, but they will eventually come round if they are a true friend. If they’re in the city, try and meet them every once in a while, especially if you want to keep them as close friends. Being able to offer and receive feedback from someone you trust is a gift that can easily be overlooked. "I learned that your friend is always there for you no matter what and if they are a true friend, they will never. The best changes happen to the most interesting people. A little vulnerability could lead to lifelong connections. Don’t stop a friendship from “escalating” unless you have a reason to do it. wikiHow's. ), nothing can replace the value of a close friendship. How to Support Veterans With Loving Conversations, A New Way to Understand Your Psychological Defenses, Micromanipulations: A Narcissist's Method of Control, How Narcissists Protect Themselves from Feeling Like Losers, 3 Conversation Topics to Spark a Relationship, Psychology Today © 2020 Sussex Publishers, LLC, During the Lockdown Certain Dog Breeds Have Gotten Plump, One Mindset Change That Can Make You More Successful, Want to Lower Your Risk of Anxiety and Depression?