A Lifetime of Friendship: A Guide to Lasting Connections
If you want to make sure your a lifetime of friendship, you need to know how to keep them strong. Friendships can bring joy, help you grow, and have a positive impact on your health.
It takes work and love to build a lasting relationship, but it can be done! Here are 10 tips to help you build and maintain your best friendships.
1. Make the Most of Every Meeting
Everyone wants to be friends with people who will stand by them through thick and thin. But this isn’t going to happen overnight.
The only way to create lasting connections is by making time for each other. This means staying connected by emailing and chatting on the phone when necessary, as well as scheduling face-to-face meetups.
Whether it’s an internal company meeting, a project-related gathering or a 1:1 with a coworker, it’s important to bring your best ideas to every meeting. Taking the time to brainstorm and plan out each meeting is one of the most important things you can do for your business and your team.
2. Make Time for Each Other
A lifelong friend can be a crucial part of your life. They’ll be there through all your ups and downs – and they won’t expect anything in return.
While relationships can become more challenging as you get older, juggling work, friends, and family commitments, it’s not impossible to make time for your significant other.
To keep your connection strong, you need to be honest and open with each other. Keeping secrets and keeping your partner in the dark will only lead to bigger problems down the road.
To ensure you’re connecting on a deeper level, try to set aside at least one date night each week. Whether that means a night out or just an at-home dinner, plan something together and treat it as special.
3. Be Honest
There are some people who come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime of friendship. These are the ones who stick around for a while and bring joy and growth into our lives.
In order to make lasting connections, it’s important to be honest with each other. Honesty promotes open communication, which can help you avoid misunderstandings in the future.
If your partner is a closed-off person, it can be difficult to get them to talk about their feelings. However, it’s important to be patient and lead by example. This will show them that it’s okay to be honest with you.
4. Don’t Forget About Yourself
Friendships are a unique bond that can last a lifetime of friendship. They often begin with two people who have common experiences growing up, attending school, working, or being in a similar social circle.
A good friendship will also last through big life changes and challenges. It’s a good idea to keep your friends close by for those times when you need them most.
One way to do this is by being honest. Don’t be afraid to tell someone how you really feel if you think it will help them.
5. Make Time to Say “I Love You”
Once you and your friend have been together for a while, it may be time to say “I love you.” It doesn’t have to be a big deal, though. It could be just as simple as saying it in person or via text message.
It also doesn’t have to be in a romantic way, but it’s important to do so in a way that feels authentic and special to you.
This is also a time to be kind to yourself. This might include taking a walk, listening to music, dancing, reading, calling a loved one or doing anything that makes you feel good.
6. Don’t Forget to Say “I’m Sorry”
When you do something that hurts another person, it’s important to say “I’m sorry.” Apologies can help repair trust and keep relationships healthy.
It’s also important to make sure that your apology is genuine and remorseful. If you try to justify what you did, it can make the other person angrier, says David Luo, a leadership coach and author of The Art of Apology.
Ultimately, a sincere apology is the only way that someone will know you’re truly sorry. It should also contain a plan for how you’re going to change your behavior so that you don’t make the same mistake again.
7. Don’t Forget to Say “I’m Thinking About You”
As you get older, it may seem like you lose touch with some of your best friends. Life moves along and you go to school, work or join different sports teams.
You also become busy, and you forget to send that email or call to catch up on the latest news. But it’s important to keep your connections strong and meaningful.
If you’re unsure of what to say to a friend or loved one who hasn’t been in touch for a while, don’t be afraid to write something sweet and heartfelt to let them know you’re thinking about them. It can be an easy way to brighten their day and make them feel a little closer to you than they might otherwise.
8. Don’t Forget to Say “I’m Happy for You”
A great way to keep your friendship strong is to celebrate each other’s successes. Whether they’ve met the man of their dreams or got a new job, be genuinely happy for them and let them know you believe in them.
Life happens, and it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. That’s why it’s important to be able to tolerate time lapses in your friendships, like when you don’t hear from each other for a while after the birth of a baby or the end of a relationship.
9. Don’t Forget to Say “Thank You”
There’s a reason why they say “friends are the best.” Some friends come into your life for a season, a reason or even a lifetime of friendship. But for a friendship to last the test of time, you have to keep up the good old fashioned communication.
So when you see your BFF doing something impressive, don’t be afraid to let them know you’re proud of them – they will appreciate it. This can be as simple as writing a card or giving them a hug. It could also mean sending them a video message to make sure they know you’re thinking of them. Regardless of how you choose to show your appreciation, you’ll be glad you did. In the end, it will be a friendship that will last a lifetime of friendship. So keep those special people in your life close to your heart!
10. Don’t Forget to Say “I’m Thinking About You”
Whether you are thinking about a friend who is going through a difficult time or just want to remind them of how much they mean to you, saying “I’m thinking about you” can be a wonderful way to say that. It’s a simple message that can make anyone feel loved and special!
It’s also a great way to keep your bond strong. No matter how far you live from each other, it’s important to let your friends know that they’re always in your thoughts. This will keep your relationship strong and allow you to remain friends no matter how busy life gets!
