Everyone needs friends and companions to stand by them in good times and bad. Where would we be without people by our side to motivate us, be happy for us and listen to us when we need it most? Good friends don’t judge us when we make mistakes. They give us advice when we ask for it, without manipulating or taking advantage of us. True friends do not expect anything in return, they put aside their own demands and accept us as we are.
This does not mean that friendships are always harmonious. Quite the opposite, because different opinions can definitely lead to conflicts or discussions now and then. The difference is that even if you have a different opinion or make a mistake, your friends will stand behind you unreservedly. They are understanding and would never intentionally hurt you. With good friends you can discuss without arguing. Even if they have different views, friends accept and appreciate each other for who they are.
What does friendship mean?
Shared adventures, experiences and memories strengthen friendship. But even if you are in different places for several weeks or months, friendship continues to endure. As soon as you see each other again, it feels as if the last meeting was only yesterday. Out of sight, out of mind? This may be true for casual acquaintances, but not for deep friendships. Because you can always count on a true friend and neither time nor space will stand in your way.
Of course, deep connections don’t happen on their own, but need to be nurtured on a regular basis. Every relationship involves work in some way. For a dear person, however, one is gladly willing to take this work upon oneself. So be there for your friends whenever they need you. Celebrate their successes with them. Stand by them when they are down and build them up when things are bad for them. While it may not always be possible for you to be physically present, there are many digital ways to be present at all times today.
How to make friends?
Friendships make your life more colorful, cheerful and happy. The only small catch: true friendships are very rare. And making really good friends is not that easy. However, once you understand how to recognize potential friends and how to find them, it will be much easier for you to make new friends. So here are three practical tips that will help you magically attract positive people and bring into your life the very people who will do you good and enrich your everyday life.
1. Raise your bar
Are your friends by your side even when you are really miserable? Can you trust them unconditionally? Rejoice in your successes without being jealous or resentful? No? Then you set your bar for friendships too low. Friendships require compromises here and there, but that doesn’t mean your closest trusts should be disloyal, untrustworthy, or out for their own gain. Don’t tolerate people in your immediate circle who don’t have your best interests at heart.
Many of us have friendships because they’ve lasted forever or because we’re afraid we won’t make new friends. But that is nonsense. Only when you raise your bar and make room for other people around you can you form relationships that make you truly happy. Don’t let anyone block you or influence you negatively. Create an environment with positive people who will help you get ahead. You deserve to have fulfilling relationships, and your time is too valuable to waste on people who don’t feel good about you. So raise your bar! And at the same time, be the best friend you can be to others as well.
2. Visualize your friends
Surely you know the theory that you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most. This means that your best friends and you are on a similar level. You have similar ideas about life, the same hobbies and interests, and probably even a similar level of income. Get it right? So if you want to get a lot out of your life, you should make sure that your friends also have great plans and visions.
Therefore, imagine exactly what a person would have to be like to become your new best friend. What character traits would distinguish him or her? What dreams and future aspirations he should have? How would he prefer to spend his free time? Visualize new friends as concretely as possible, because only then will you know what kind of people you are actually looking for. Once you know who to look out for, you will automatically meet these people much more often.
3. Go on the search
You won’t make new friends by sitting at home waiting for them to ring your doorbell – unless you visualized your mailman in the previous step. Therefore, ask yourself where the people you have pictured for yourself are and visit these places. You want friends who are athletic, active and social? Then sign up for the soccer club or dance school. You love good stories and want to share that passion with new friends? Then go to the cinema, theater or musical more often.
By hanging out in the right places, you increase your chances of meeting the people you’re looking for. People who share similar values are often alike. So keep your eyes open, go to the right places and strike up conversations with likeable, positive and open-minded people. You will see that this way you magically attract positive people and soon have fulfilling friendships that truly enrich your life.