Friendships are awesome! They help us learn about ourselves and others, push us out of our comfort zones, and they’re fun. But like all relationships, friendships can sometimes be tricky. As we start to learn more about who we are and what we like, it’s normal for some of our friendships to change. Some friendships may fade away, some stay the same, and some may get even closer. It’s okay to feel sad when things shift, but it’s important to remember that throughout our lives, people will come and go for all sorts of reasons. When our friendships change, it’s a good time to think about what we learned from them, how we supported each other, and what impact they had on our lives. Let’s explore some of the ups and downs of friendships and how to navigate them!
9 Characteristics of a Good Friend
It’s helpful to take some time to think about what qualities are most important to you in a friendship. Below are some signs of a positive friendship, but remember that every friendship is different. They won’t all have every quality listed below and that’s okay.
#1. Good friends are supportive, understanding, and thoughtful. They are there for you when life is great, and when it isn’t.
#2. Friends should be uplifting, encouraging, and want the best for you. If someone puts you down a lot or makes you feel bad, they’re probably note treating you the way a friend should.
#3. Friends are people you can be silly around, have fun with, and make each other laugh.
#4. Good friends are trustworthy and loyal. They have your back and respect your privacy (things told to them in private stay private).
#5. Good friends each put in a similar amount of effort into the relationship. This kind of equality is part of showing your respect for each other. Your friend should care about what matters to you and not just reach out to you when they need something.
#6. Both people in the friendship feel included and welcome. It’s just as important for you to treat your friends the way that you want to be treated.
#7. Friends don’t keep you from hanging out with others or discourage you from doing things without them, even if they feel jealous. Sometimes feelings of jealousy will come up. This is normal. If someone feels jealous, as long as you’re being inclusive and not purposely leaving them out, then jealousy should not interfere with your friendship. If you feel trapped or suffocated by your friend’s jealousy, then you may want to talk about setting boundaries that make room for you to branch out and spend time with others too.
#8. Good friends are inclusive and respectful to other people you may want to be around.
#9. Friends don’t talk badly about others or encourage you to talk badly about your other friends.
