Having a friendship also means knowing how to cultivate it. A friendship is a great asset in life, so no one wants to lose the intangible benefits and lasting support it brings. However, with the passage of time it happens to get distracted and allow a relationship to fade. To maintain a lifelong friendship, focus on the purpose of the relationship and strive to constantly stimulate it.
Steps
Step 1. Talk regularly
Keep in touch via phone, text message, email, chat and, of course, face to face. Take every single opportunity to keep in touch from week to week and month to month, despite the busy schedule. Don't let too much time pass between meetings.
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When you speak, don't be self-centered. Listen to your friend and try to understand what is going on in his life. If the relationship is genuine, he too will look forward to hearing how you are. Don't monopolize the conversation. Listen more and talk less.
Keep Friends Forever Step 12
Step 2. Feel regularly, even if you are not physically close
See each other often if possible. Even if you live far away, make a commitment to meet from time to time. Visit each other, have lunch, go to the cinema or go on vacation together.
When you are away, send each other letters or e-mails. Update regularly
Step 3. Believe in your friend
Lay him down in the highlights and cheer him on. Trust him and believe his version of events until proven otherwise. By having faith in your friend, you will show him that you believe in friendship and his future, that the relationship is not short-term.
Help him when he needs it
Step 4. Remember the important things, like birthdays (even of your children), anniversaries, the beautiful moments you shared in the past
It's the thought that matters, you don't have to send gifts or have big celebrations. Just call him, send him a note or hear him to remember something important together.
Step 5. Respect each other's life choices, including romantic interests, child-rearing preferences, and career decisions
You may not agree with him, but always remember that you are not your friend, you are his friend. Respect him, offer him discreet and thoughtful guidance, do not pester or annoy him by telling him what he should do. He doesn't want to know. Also, if he gets nothing but a flood of reproaches from the report, he won't want to see you again.
Step 6. Look for fun activities to share
A common passion is often the cornerstone of a friendship, so take advantage of it and share it with your friend. Make space for yourself to indulge in this activity or go to a certain event on a regular basis. You will have fun and enjoy each other's company.
Step 7. Give yourself space
In a relationship, choking is as lethal as constantly distancing oneself. Try to find a good balance and understand when to let your friend hang out with other people or have time for himself.
Step 8. Don't take away from the relationship
Sometimes you think that the more, the better. Having too many friends is counterproductive: when you try to get along with many people, the quality of the relationship suffers. Go for quality over quantity and don't force your friend to like the same people you like when it's obvious it could never work. Above all, don't abandon it for other friends. A good friendship is difficult to find: it is rare and therefore precious.
Step 9. Respect your friend's family
Even if you hate it, behave politely, you don't have to do anything else. Avoid gossiping or tarnishing his family members. It is totally unacceptable.
If necessary, listen with empathy - sometimes your friend will need to let off steam. However, don't agree when he says something negative about his relatives, just acknowledge his emotions and support him. He certainly won't want you to criticize them too
Step 10. Enjoy each other's company
Remember that you will both change over the years. However, if you can focus on the meaning you attach to friendship and respect changes, then you can remain good friends and have fun together. Things will change over time, but by accepting it you can constantly renew the foundations of the relationship and continue to grow together.
Advice
- Don't insult your friend.
- Don't gossip about your friend. This is a nasty thing to do and will likely destroy the friendship.
- Do not lie. Once trust is broken, it will be difficult to recover it.
- Don't be irritable.
Warnings
- Don't constantly demand your time and energy. Good friends know how to give themselves space.
- Don't let friendship be ruined by love. Try to respect his sentimental choices: it's not up to you to judge. If you see something that worries you, tell it, but don't impose anything on it.
