Friends forever… Young people, with a lot of free time of hand, often have no trouble keeping in touch with all of their friends. However, as people get older, free time is often considered a luxury and friends are left behind, with the idea that a true friend will always remain a friend. But the reality is that friendships also need time and effort to be maintained. Although your focus may be your career, your family, your hobbies, you can always make some time for your friends and keep these friendships alive. Here are 10 ways to help you keep your friendships.
credit photo
1. Call them once in a while just to say hi. If you call them only to ask for a favor, or because things are not going well at work, your friends will feel like you want nothing to do with them, and are only calling when things are not going well for you. Your friends should feel that you care for them, and calling just to say hi will certainly support the idea.
2. Remember their birthdays. If they are living on the other side of the country, you don’t need to send them a present or show up dressed as a birthday cake. But a simple birthday card or a call never hurts.
3. Remember your promises. If you said you were going to call them next weekend, call them next weekend. Your friends might be anxious about hanging out with you and not hearing back from you can hurt their feelings.
4. Don’t cancel last minute appointments. If agreed to a girls night out, stick to it. Unless a real emergency comes out, show up to your appointments – rain and new boyfriend don’t count!
5. Talking about boyfriends, if you are dating, avoid bringing your date every time you meet up with your friends. Sometimes, a friend may want to talk to you about personal matters. Also, having your new hubby all the time with you might make them feel like the third wheel.
6. Know how to keep a secret. To spread around someone’s secret is probably the most hurtful thing to do in a friendship. Your friend is telling you his or her secret because they trust you, so earn that trust.
7. Cut back the gossiping. What if someone you knew were to gossip about everybody and everything. You probably would wonder what that person has to say about you when you are not around. This is probably the same thing that is going through your friend’s mind.
8. Plan some activities. Don’t always wait for your friend to call you to do something. Why not be proactive by suggesting going out for brunch next weekend.
9. Be happy for them. Don’t jealous their good fortune. If something good is happening to them, be happy for them, don’t go on about your bad luck. Your time will come.
10. Return their calls. If your friend left a message on your voicemail, return his or her call. They may need a shoulder to lie on.
But remember, a friendship has to be reciprocal. You are probably better off without a “friend” who never calls you, never returns your calls, always misses appointments or shows more interest in making out with their new love when they meet up with you.
By N., writer for Consumer Top 10.
