How to Maintain Lasting and Strong Friendships?

Maintaining friendships is important if you want to keep the people you care about close to you. When you maintain your friendships, you continue to invest in them and keep them strong. This allows you to keep the people you care about close, which is a great way to keep the people you care about close to you. However, it can be hard to know when to maintain your friendships and when to let them go.

10 Tips to Maintain Lasting and Strong Friendships:

Here are a few mindful tips:

1-Don’t talk poorly of them to others:

Good friends don’t talk badly about their other friends, especially when they’re not around to defend themselves. These acts of deceit and insecurity will not enhance or grow your relationship but will do the opposite and draw you apart.
True, lasting friends are the ones who know which side they are on and maintain their loyalty even if you’re not there.

2-Say the truth:

Always be as honest as possible and don’t mislead your friends. You have to develop a sense of trust to have a strong friendship. Your friend will likely reciprocate and share things with you in confidence.

3-Understand that they need their own space to grow:

Friends need to have their personal space too. We don’t want to be that clingy, needy, annoying friend who keeps calling other people every day and every hour. Everyone needs to be alone sometimes.

4-Make and use the time together:

Of course, it’s good to have friendships like this that don’t require a lot of time and nurturing, especially when you’re both miles apart or on opposite schedules. However, strong relationships require staying in touch and spending a lot of time together. So at least check in with your friends when you can: make weekly phone calls; text them here and there to let them know you’re thinking of them; and if possible, schedule some time to just hang out.

5-Be open to feedback:

If you ask your friends for comments, thoughts, and opinions on your latest project or a decision you need to make, it’s a huge compliment to them. Asking for their feedback to help build your confidence, develop new habits, and make positive changes, shows how much you value their insights. Whether they have similar or different backgrounds, beliefs, and philosophies, good friends bring a unique perspective to your life.

6-Listen and share equally:

Avoid a one-sided friendship. Be sure to actively listen to your friend and offer support when you can. A friendship should be mutually beneficial, so offer what you can if your friend needs it. Don’t wait for them to ask.

7-Having fun:

Friendship is meant to be enjoyed. It shouldn’t be strenuous or feel like a burden. Do things that make you both happy and make sure you both get something positive out of the relationship.

8-Accept Differences:

Not only are we unique people, but time will move us in different directions. It’s natural to feel frustrated or surprised when you and your friend are on opposite sides of the spectrum on an issue or belief. You’ve always had these differences, or maybe one of you is going through a life transition. When the distance becomes apparent, it can be a good time to reaffirm why you became friends in the first place.
Where else can you find them? Try to focus on the things that bring you closer and that you can still share. It may also help to stay open and receptive. Change is not necessarily bad. You may have a lot more to learn now from each other than some time ago.

9-keep them accountable:

Healthy friendships are based on equality and respect, not codependency and obligation. Appreciate your good friends and expect them to keep their promises and act according to their values ​​and ideals.
While being non-judgmental goes a long way, you can gently ask your friend questions to help them become more aware of themselves and their choices. It’s not about telling your friend what to do, it’s about reminding them of their own abilities and desires.

10-Say no when necessary:

Make sure you’ve set your limits and can say no every time your friend tries to cross them. Instead, own up to your mistakes and apologize for overstepping your friend’s boundaries.

Related:Why Is Saying ‘No’ So Important?