Maintaining friendships can be hard sometimes, life gets in the way and you can find yourself looking at your diary in disbelief at just how much you have on. So it’s time to make some
Maintaining friendships can be hard sometimes, life gets in the way and you can find yourself looking at your diary in disbelief at just how much you have on. So it’s time to make some promises to your girl friends to help those friendships continue to grow!
Studies have found that people’s social circles peak at the age of 29 and their closest friend is more than likely to be someone they knew from school but the most likely place to form a friendship is in the workplace. So what promises should you make to these friends, old and new, that you think so highly of?
I promise… never to envy what you have
Instead you should celebrate everything good that happens to your friends, whether it’s a new job, they’ve lost weight or they’ve just got engaged. Don’t be the one who sits in the corner making negative comments or not congratulating their friend. If you’ve ever experienced ‘frienvy’ then don’t be ashamed: one in three people in Britain have admitted to feeling envious, as this clever infographic created by Mecca Bingo shows.
I promise… to make time
Your diary might be full but there’s always a spare half an hour to pop and say hello to a friend or arrange for a quick coffee and a chat. What are you doing right now? Reading this article? You could be on the phone, arranging a catch up. It’s important to also arrange time together for just you girls, if you have partners. There’s nothing better than a giggle together over a bottle of wine – or two.
I promise… to forgive
If your friend can’t make it to dinner or wishes you a happy birthday a little late in the day don’t get angry (exceptions to this rule are if she’s snogging your boyfriend or has eaten all your chocolate, of course). Forgiveness is a strength not many of us have and if you can find it in your heart to let the little things go, then your friendship will only get stronger.
I promise… to listen
We all want our voice heard but sometimes you need to sit back and just listen to what your friends have to tell you. As the Greek Philosopher Epictetus said: ‘we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak’. So, the more time you spend not talking but taking interest in other people’s stories, the more positive a relationship you will have. Of course they need to listen to you sometimes too, but always remember to stop talking if your mouth has been moving without a break or interruption for a while.
I promise… to support you
Probably the most important one on the list, supporting your friends is something that should come as second nature to you but sometimes we allow our personal opinions to get in the way. Say you hate tattoos, but your friend really wants you to go along with her to get one done, you could make an allowance and support her. You’re not the one getting the ink, so why should you reject your friend and not hold her hand?
Of course, you might want to advise her if she’s planning on getting one etched onto her face or love/hate on her knuckles. The same applies if she’s planning on making a bold career move, starting a serious relationship or if she’s having trouble with family – always be supportive and allow her to confide in you. It’s what friends are for.