Figuring out who your best friends are can be a difficult, exciting and confusing undertaking! To do this, evaluate your friendship relationships by considering different aspects of those relationships. How much time do you spend together? Do you communicate effectively? Do your friends stand up for you and support you? Until you have found the answers you are looking for, remember to be patient, sincere and keep an open mind!
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Evaluating the Time You Spend with Friends
Step 1. Evaluate which of your friends are asking you to see you most often
Your best friends organize their days so that they have time to be with you, they plan fun activities and adventures to share together. You too invite them as soon as you get the chance!
Step 2. Consider which friends you spend the most time with
Good friends explicitly tell you that they want to see you. They are always present in the most important moments of your life, such as weddings and funerals. There are also birthday parties and even evenings on the sofa to watch the game. Often you see each other just because you feel like it, without a particular occasion.
Step 3. Consider why you spend time with your friends
True friends hang out with you because they genuinely appreciate your company. They don't abandon you when the seasons change; they stay by your side all year round, not just during school or the sports season. They don't just show up when it's convenient for them or when they want to use your pool.
Part 2 of 5: Evaluating Your Friends' Communication Skills
Step 1. Consider who your friends are best at listening; the best ones do it actively
When you talk, they give you their full attention and their phone stays in your pocket, purse or on the table.
Step 2. Notice if some of your friends are only talking about themselves
True friends gladly listen to your troubles, triumphs, fears and dreams. People who always bring the conversation back to themselves don't really love you. Those who never ask you questions about your life or your feelings are not interested in getting to know you in depth.
If you or a friend have had a difficult day, it can happen that one of you talks more than the other
Step 3. Evaluate the response times of your friends
Good friends respond to your text messages and phone calls. They always do, even when you call them in the middle of the night. If a person doesn't respond to you or only does it when they feel like it, they aren't acting reliably. But don't think that a friend who doesn't answer you at 3 a.m. doesn't really love you, they probably just need to sleep!
Part 3 of 5: Consider Your Friends' Loyalty
Step 1. Assess who your friends are able to keep a secret
When you share a secret with your best friends, they don't tell the first person that passes! The relationship with them is based on mutual trust and respect. They don't spread gossip about you, they silence them!
Step 2. Notice who your friends are standing up for you
Good friends protect you in any situation. They come forward when you don't have a chance to stand up for yourself and don't act like bullies, joining in with those who make fun of you or spreading gossip about you!
Step 3. Evaluate your friends' ability to forgive you
Everyone makes mistakes, even the closest friends. However, they do not hold a grudge and do not stop talking to you. On the contrary, they explain to you why they are annoyed and converse with you, without raising their voice. They apologize for their mistakes and learn from them. After a fight, they always manage to forgive you.
Part 4 of 5: Find Out If Your Friends Are Supporting You
Step 1. Consider which friends are really happy for you
When you are successful, your best friends are the first people to congratulate you, they don't feel in competition with you and they support you. Jealous people, on the other hand, are not true friends.
Step 2. Evaluate your friends' ability to encourage you
Good friends build your self-esteem before an exam or job interview. They give you a hand with their positivity and do not make unnecessary criticism. They don't belittle you.
Step 3. Notice which friends have a positive influence on you
True friends expect the most from you. They should guide you towards positive influences and wise decisions, because they care about your safety, health and happiness. People who put you in awkward situations don't think about your good.
Part 5 of 5: Getting to the Conclusion
Step 1. Think about your answers
Take the time to consider everything you have discovered. Write for a few hours in your journal or take a long walk.
Step 2. Talk to your best friends
Communicate with them once you have thought about the information available to you. Make sure they understand how much you appreciate them! Write them a note, take them out to dinner or make them a pan of your delicious cookies!
Step 3. Keep working on your friendship
Now that you understand who your best friends are, focus on developing your relationship with them. Spend more time with them and try to be there for all the more or less important events in their life. Always keep the lines of communication open and never take your friendship for granted!
Advice
- Find best friends who are real and genuine people.
- Your best friends don't exploit you. If someone asks you to do something you don't like, don't do it. Always follow your instincts in these situations. True friends always consider your feelings and don't force you to parenthesize your values.
- Relationships with your best friends don't have to be one-sided. Make sure you don't always call them or ask to see you!
- Communication is the most important thing.
- Your best friends never harm you voluntarily.
- Choose your best friends wisely. Bad people are bad influences; avoid them and prefer the company of those who have a positive influence on you. This is the best way to figure out who you can really call "best friend".
- If you have a lot in common with a person, chances are you will become great friends.
- A true friend won't be angry if you don't talk to them for a while unintentionally, but remember to apologize.
