What does it take to cultivate the best relationships in life? Good friends are indeed one of life’s most valued treasures. At times, these people know you better than you know yourself. But today, it’s easy to confuse online friends with authentic, in-person interactions. Our experts reveal the best relationship hints to help you overcome that hurdle.
They use gentle honesty, as they support and guide you through this crazy thing called life. They’re there to share in your laughter as well as wipe your tears. Their company reminds you that you’re never alone on your journey.
If you’re lucky enough to have found even one such person, then you are blessed beyond measure. People have tried to substitute real friendships with virtual ones, and it’s not the same thing.
Virtual Friends Aren’t the Same
How many people do you have following you on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snap Chat? Counting your friends on social media outlets and those who you see and interact with in-person is drastically different. The best relationship hints we share today will address how to help your personal friendships flourish.
Look at your friend, count on Facebook. If you have 700 friends on your wall, it doesn’t mean that they’re real friends. Honestly, you probably only know about one percent of those people.
While emails, text messaging, and social media are great ways to keep in contact with your friends and family, there are some people on your list that are nothing more than acquaintances. Technology cannot replace authentic in-person relationships where you are physically present with another human being, according to Alejandro Jadad of the University Health Network in Toronto.
Fifteen Best Relationship Hints, from the Experts
Did you know that genuine friendships will shape your life if you prefer to be around people who are upbeat, positive, headed in the right direction, and those who value themselves, as well as others?
Are there any requirements to consider when looking for a good friend? How many times did your parents chastise you and say, “You are the company you keep”? This adage rings true to this day.
However, there were a few things about relationships that your parents probably didn’t mention, and here are 15 that you should know.
1. Communication is Key
If you want to have a good relationship with both friends and lovers, you will learn the fine art of communication. Check-in with each other and make sure the other one is okay. Part of being a friend is being there in good times and bad.
How will you know if your friend needs you if you don’t communicate effectively with each other?
2. Be Willing to Forgive
When you forgive others for their wrongdoings, then you release positive energy into the universe. So, when it comes time for you to be forgiven, karma will pay you back.
Always be eager to forgive even when the things done to you hurt deeply. Forgiveness is just as much for you as it is for them. NIH experts suggest that the ability to forgive someone is a sign of a strong person.
3. Accept People for Who They Are
When it comes to friends or lovers, never change people to be what you think they need to be. Rather, the best friendships are those where you both accept each other for who you are, which includes faults and all. Of all the best relationship hints, this one can be the most challenging to accept.
4. Encourage Them to Be All They Can Be
Being a good friend means that you have someone behind you, pushing you to be all you can be. It’s someone that makes you feel better when life is rough, and they give you the little boost you need to try new things. No one wants a Negative Nelly as their friend, so you need to be an encourager.
5. Compliments Go A Long Way
If you want to have the best relationship with your friend, then you will remember that a little compliment can go a long way. Pay attention to things like new outfits, a change in hairstyle, or a new cologne or perfume. Notice the little things and compliment them as it helps to build their esteem.
6. Be Honest – Even When it Hurts
The old adage that honesty is the best policy still rings true. Don’t tell someone what they want to hear; rather, you need to tell them the truth. If you disagree with them, it’s okay to have a difference of opinion.
If everyone had the same thoughts and theories in this life, it would be quite a boring place to be.
7. Respect Their Values, Religion, and Family
Today, respect for values, religion, political association, and family is essential. Learning to agree to disagree is one of the best relationship tips anyone can offer you.
Respect doesn’t mean that you agree or want to live the way that they do. It just means that you respect their individuality and accept them as they are. A study in American Psychology reminds us that cultural diversity is all around you and you must be respectful of others and their differences.
8. Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep
It’s easy to overextend yourself when trying to help others. However, the best relationships are the ones where you both know your boundaries and can say “no” when you can’t handle anymore.
A true friend will respect your limitations and understand when you’ve reached your limit. It’s better than the alternative of making a commitment and canceling at the last minute or being a “no show.”
9. Make Time Even When You Don’t Have Any
Your life is jam-packed with things from family to work. You may wonder how you will even have time for a friend. Thankfully, the best relationships are those who make time for each other even when there is no time left.
You will move appointments around, text on your lunch hour, and find ways to stay in touch. Relationships, like flowers in the garden, need constant care, and nourishment. It would help if you found time to spend together for your friendship to thrive.
10. Share Your Values and Secrets
It would help if you were careful when starting new friendships that you don’t divulge too much too fast. However, the best relationships are the ones where you can tell someone anything, and you know they have your back.
They wouldn’t tell or use what they know against you. They respect your values and keep your secrets. A friend that doesn’t talk about you behind your back or gossip is truly a gem.
11. Trust is Important (the best relationship hint)
One of the foundations of any friendship is trust. If there is no trust in your relationship, then is there any connection? You don’t want to be with someone that you always must second guess their motives.
Having a good friend is someone that you know what they are telling you is the truth and that you don’t even need to question their word.
12. Do Crazy Things Together
Life can be mundane with work and family responsibilities. The best relationships are those where you can throw caution to the wind and do something that’s crazy fun. Perhaps you hop a flight and spend the night in a big city exploring. Do something, anything spur of the moment just because you can.
Life would be boring if you did the same things all the time, and the best relationships are those who can have fun and make life an adventure.
13. Be Faithful and Devoted
Of course, your spouse and family must come first, but to be a good friend, you must have devotion towards one another. Though you often hear the terms love and dedication when talking about romantic relationships, they can also be used when it comes to friendships too.
14. Don’t Take Your Friendship for Granted
It’s easy to take a relationship for granted. Do you automatically assume that someone will be there for you because they always have been? If your friend babysits your children, don’t just expect this kind behavior as part of your friendship duties.
If they didn’t do this favor for you, who would your kids stay with? You should notice any act of kindness they do towards you, no matter how small. While they may not take money for watching your kids, you can get them a gift card or a candle. At the very least, a card will say how much you appreciate them.
15. Genuine Friends are Hard to Find
Real friends, the ones that stick by you through thick and thin, are hard to find. If you have found someone that is there to lift your head when the burdens of life are too much and is a shoulder to cry on, then you have found a precious gem. Friendships take a lot of work, but they are so worth the effort.
Final Thoughts on Taking These Best Relationship Hints to Heart
Friendship is one of the most essential things in life, and a person can never have too many friends. While your life may be chaotic, stressful, and downright devastating at times, they make things better.
Thankfully, it’s good to know that it’s a little less challenging when you have a good friend by your side. The best relationships are those that honor your difference and enjoy the similarities.
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