Making friends can be tough, especially as a grown-up. But it doesn’t have to be! Here’s a list of 8 ways to make better friendships. These tips will help you make better friendships that will enrich your life.
Before we dive into 8 ways to make better friendships, here’s a quick note. You don’t have to do all 8 at once. Take your time and find the practices that work best for you.
Find friends who share your interests
Finding someone who shares your interests and hobbies can make for a great friendship. It’s always fun to chat about a shared passion and compare stories about your respective projects. These conversations can lead to friends to make plans to explore shared interest together.
Even if you have to step outside of your comfort zone for a bit, it can make for better friendships. Better friendships tend to be stronger and invaluable in both good and bad times.
So make sure to reach out and make some connections with like-minded individuals. You could make some amazing connections along the way! Ok let’s dig in to 8 ways to make better friendships!
Don’t be afraid to reach out and contact people
Reaching out and contacting people can be daunting. Still, it is a great way to expand your circle of friends and lasting connections! We often forget that people are just as lonely as we are and they’re just waiting to meet someone new. Don’t be afraid to take the plunge. You just never know who you will meet.
You could meet a lasting friend, soulmate, talented professional or a meaningful mentor. Sure it’s scary at first because our judgment skills are not always spot on. But why close yourself off from wonderful opportunities? Aim high, play big, and don’t be ashamed to open up and make great lasting friendships.
Make an effort to keep in touch, even when life gets busy
Life gets busy and it seems like there are never enough hours in the day. When this happens, it’s easy to forget that friendships require maintenance. Make an effort to keep in touch with those close to you even when your own life is crazy.
Doing this is an important part of making better friendships and keeping them alive. You can check in on your friend with a simple text or plan regular catch-up sessions despite overloaded schedules.
Taking the time to nurture your relationships ensures that those meaningful connections thrive and remain strong. We want them to remain strong even during the busiest times.
Be yourself – don’t try to be someone you’re not
Being your true self is the best way to make lasting friendships. Wearing a mask or presenting yourself as someone you’re not makes it harder to build genuine connections with people. You may be worried about coming across wrong or worrying about other people’s opinions.
Still, you should decide to be honest from the start and be comfortable in your own skin. Doing this allows others to learn more about who you truly are and make connections on a deeper level. Embracing your true self is important for meaningful relationships; don’t hide away who you really are!
Accept that not every friendship will last forever
It’s always heartbreaking to say goodbye to our closest friends when a friendship isn’t meant to last forever. Particularly as we get older and make lasting friendships, it’s hard to acknowledge that sometimes we outgrow people. Life tends to just randomly and slowly cause people to drift apart.
While it can be difficult to accept, not every friendship will make it in the long run. But that doesn’t make the time spent together any less meaningful. It’s important to make the most of our relationships and make meaningful memories. Keep in mind, that even if those friendships fade away, those moments still have meaning.
Also, be sure you aren’t labeling people as friends who haven’t earned that title to begin with. Sometimes, friendships end, but some of them should’ve never started. Check out the IG reel below to hear more about this concept.
Be a good listener
Being a good listener is an incredibly important and often overlooked skill. This skill can make a lasting difference in your relationships. This goes for both personal and professional relationships. The ability to genuinely listen to those around us can make all the difference. This element is key when it comes to making better friendships.
It shows that you care about the person’s thoughts and feelings. It also gives them space to open up and trust you with their worries. Listening attentively will make the speaker feel valued. Additionally, it encourages them to express their opinions, and foster mutual respect for you.
Not only can it strengthen existing relationships, it can also be instrumental when meeting someone for the first time. Making an effort to lend an ear ensures that conversations run more smoothly. This is key in exposing people to different perspectives and forming new and better bonds.
Take time to remember special moments
We should all make an effort to take time out of our busy lives to cherish the meaningful moments. Especially the meaningful moments we spend with our friends. These moments could be a funny inside joke from a night out or a heart-warming gesture.
It could also be a shared moment that only both of you understand. These are the experiences that will help form a better and lasting friendship. Taking a few moments to reflect and document special memories helps us keep the spark alive in our relationships. It also reminds us just why these people are so important in our lives.
Learn from each other
Another key element of making better friendships is being open to learning from each other. It’s important to remember that no two people are the same and we can all learn something from each other. Being open to different perspectives and ideas allows us to gain valuable insight into our own lives.
It also opens up a space for mutual growth and understanding which can help strengthen our connections with one another. Use this as an opportunity to improve in areas you’re lacking, while teaching others things that make you unique.
In essence, it creates a safe and open environment for both parties to grow together and learn from one another. Taking an interest in what drives those around us is a surefire way of forming lasting relationships.
Conclusion of 8 ways to make better friendships
Whether you’re looking for new friends or trying to strengthen existing friendships, following these tips should help you tremendously. These tips will ultimately help you create and maintain better relationships. Keep in mind it’s important to find friends who share your interests.
But don’t be afraid to reach out and contact people outside of your usual social circle. Once you’ve made a connection, make an effort to keep in touch, even when life gets busy. And above all else, be yourself – don’t try to be someone you’re not.
That being said, not every friendship will last forever and that’s okay. Accept that some relationships are temporary and cherish the moments you have with those special people while they last. Lastly, don’t forget to be a good listener – it’s one of the most important traits of a good friend.
That’s it! I hope you enjoyed these 8 ways to make better friendships. Let me know if you have additional ideas in the comments. For more information, please read 12 Tips for Making and Keeping Friends.