True friendship takes a lot of work, despite the effort and dedication, your relationships with your best friends are some of the most important connections you’ll ever have. June 8th is National Best Friends Day and what better way to mark the occasion that ensuring you and your besties continue to connect on a deep and meaningful level! Here are 8 lessons to cultivating meaningful friendships.
- Pencil them in: In Bronnie Ware’s best selling book “The Top 5 regrets of the Dying”, she states that the fourth biggest regret that people have on their deathbeds is “I wish I would have spent more time with my friends.” Spending quality time with your best friends, no matter how busy you get is important to ensure a life of deep meaning and happiness. Even if you can only see your friends once a month make sure to carve out in person time for them and make it a top priority. That means no last minute bailing, rescheduling or postponing if you can.
- Stay in touch: This might seem like an easy one, but simply “liking” a friend’s status or commenting on Instagram is not the same thing as checking in on your friends and what’s happening in their lives. Get in touch the old fashioned way – by talking. Call them on the phone or send a letter every once and awhile to stay connected.
- Be grateful: True friends are hard to come by and having someone spend their time on you, especially as responsibilities start to add up is a blessing. Make sure you acknowledge that. Practice gratitude for your friends and express it! It can be as big as helping with a move, a gift, or as simple as a “hey friend, you mean the world to me” text message.
- Be an Active Listener: Think back to the last time you were upset, wouldn’t it have been nice to have someone just listen- advice free? When your friends are upset listen to everything they have to say before speaking, ask questions, and if you really want to offer some advice, ask first if they’re open to receiving it and if they’re not- drop it and listen advice free.
- Forgive and be kind: Practise forgiveness when your friends falter, give forgiveness to yourself when you do the same and be mindful about your friend’s intentions when they let you down. Remember that no person is perfect and we all have bad days and try our best. Let go of grudges and treat your friends with the kindness you’d wish to receive from them.
- Set loving boundaries and own up to your stuff: In order to have a healthy relationships with your pals it’s important that you set loving, honest boundaries. If your friends hurt your feelings or treat you in a way that bothers you, you need to gently tell them how they’ve made you feel and request they not do it again. Remember boundaries are there to ensure everyone feels understood and respected. A good friend will respect your boundaries once you express them. That being said, be respectful of your friends’ boundaries as well when they lay them out.
- Your vibe attracts your tribe: Making sure that you practice healthy habits mind body and soul will attract like minded individuals and inspire your friends to take care of themselves too. Take care of yourself and you’ll inspire others to do the same.
- Celebrate your friends: Host a girls only night, buy each other flowers, make a big deal of Birthdays and Anniversaries, take a class together, go on a trip, and encourage each other to share victories and wins. Make time to laugh, and celebrate this miraculous thing we call life together!
Lauren Schell is a writer, producer and believer in miracles and magic. Dedicated to cultivating deep meaning & purpose, she hopes to inspire others to tune into their inner guidance and practice self-care in all areas of live. Her passions include yoga, meditation, paddleboarding, painting and spending time with her Love.
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