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Are you on the hunt for some great friends? Or are you insistent on becoming a great friend yourself? Well, here are 11 traits found in the most amazing friends to help guide you on either of these journeys!

Investing time and energy in great friends can have a remarkable impact on your happiness and your life! Friends are your rocks for when you’re feeling unstable and they are your cheerleaders for when things are going well. How your peers fill those various roles will impact you greatly, so it is super important to closely hold friends that display likeable and favourable traits. Good, meaningful friendships add colour and depth into your life. Steer clear of those friendships that zap you of energy and leave your days looking grey. Through different stages in life you’ll find yourself questioning what kind of friends you have and the kind of friend you are, and that is completely normal. Having more of an insight as to what makes a great friend will help you to understand the quality of your friendships and you’ll learn how good of a friend you are (and also what you might need to work on as a friend)!

“Friendship isn’t a big thing – it’s a million little things”¹

This quote provides a great perspective of friendship as it highlights the importance of the little things! Seemingly small, insignificant events and conversations can be what builds a strong friendship our of an ordinary one.

Here are 11 Traits of Great Friends

Great Friends are: 

Empathetic and Understanding

Great friends will just get you! You’ll notice that they have this admirable ability to slip into your shoes and see things from your perspective all while walking alongside you. When things are going well and you’re on cloud nine, great friends are up there cheering their hardest, but also when times are tough and the storm clouds roll in, they’re right there with an umbrella and give a shoulder to lean on. The greatest of friends can come close to emotional mind readers, since they have a knack for picking up on your vibes without needing anyone or anything to point it out. For a friend to show their understanding of a situation and providing tailored support is truly great. To listen without fixing, understand without judging, and to always be there for you is what great friends will do.

Remember that empathy is as much a skill as it is a trait, so if you feel that this is something you need to work on, then you can totally develop it! To best understand and empathise with friends will take plenty of practice!

Trustworthy

Real deal friends are the ones that you can trust! With great friends you should feel confident to share your secrets, dreams, and embarrassing stories without a worry. Other friends who aren’t tooo great may have a tendency to let that sort of information slip! Great companions won’t leak your secrets like a faulty faucet – they act as your vault for sensitive information you don’t want out in public. Friends that are trustworthy are mates that will have your back and they’ll keep your confidences to themselves. Whether you’re sharing your craziest dreams or your most hated fears, they will be there to listen and lock away what they’ve been told! It’s almost like a human diary, a place where your thoughts and feelings can be out in the open without the worry of them going so public. Since great friends allow you to be trusting, then give your friends reason to be trusting too! Don’t let the excitement of gossip guide you in your social interactions – show your peers that you can be trusted with anything and you’ll keep promises that are made.

Loyal

The greatest of friends are ride-or-die companions. Loyalty in friendships is so important because during the upsides and downsides to life you feel fare more secure knowing someone has your back. You should feel confident in holding great friends to the expectation that they’ll stick with you through thick and thin. Unconditional support goes a long way in building strong relationships. No matter the crazy twists and turns of your life’s rollercoaster, good friends will be right beside you. When you notice a friend has not got your back and is not making you feel supported, talk with them. Let friends know how they can improve and step up as great friends!

Positive and Encouraging

Outstanding friends are your dose of positivity in life. Friends that are encouraging at the best and worst of times are the ones you’ll grow close to. Positive and encouraging people attract friends that are the same, so make sure to keep that ‘glass half full’ perspective throughout each day. To have someone that sees rainbows when it’s drizzling is great for providing energy in your life. Celebrating successes is also a massive plus in finding solid friendships. Achievements should be recognised and enjoyed, and not be quickly forgotten. Infectious enthusiasm, humour and smiles from your peers will motivate you to aim higher and believe in yourself even when doubts creep in. Also, having positive talk around you will lead to more constructive and insightful conversation. In a world full of challenges, great friends with big grins, thumbs-up, and a ‘you got this’ attitude will make you the best version of yourself.

Effective communicators

Great friends are good communicators. Communication in all relationships is super duper important because with no effective communication, many misunderstandings and misinterpretations occur. Friends that understanding and connect the most are friends that talk when times are tough as well as when times are good. Good friends will always be giving their best effort to listen intently, ask the right questions, and share their thoughts openly. With them, discussion flows effortlessly. You should not be feeling like you have to force conversation with close friends! Lots of effective communication weaves a strong bond that can weather any storm. The advantages of open and honest communication is that nothing is left unsaid, conflicts are addressed in healthy ways and you build an unbreakable bond. Talking with your friends often and transparently will foster empathy and deepen the roots of your friendships, and you’ll always on the same wavelength!

Respectful of Differences

Remarkable friendships embrace the diversity between people’s personalities. Recognising and appreciating the unique differences amongst friends is what brings people closer. In fact, there are many cases where you see opposites attract, because friends feed off of each others distinct energies. You know – sometimes extroverts find best friends in introverts. Respecting differences in your friends acts as glue that holds your bond together, allowing you to share perspectives without judgment and to learn from each other’s own journeys. These types of friends recognise that your individual quirks and beliefs are what add excitement and flavor to your friendship. With open hearts and minds, you can create a safe space where you and your peers can be your authentic selves. This fosters an environment where growth, understanding, and acceptance flourishes! An ability to respect your differences becomes proof in the strength of your connection.

Interested in the same or similar Activities

Having shared interests or similar hobbies with great friends is what gives your friendship foundation to develop from. It means you can have fun times and heaps of laughs without having to first build an incredible connection. Engaging in activities you both love creates a unique space where you can then start to connect on a deeper level, sharing experiences, stories, and creating memories that are unique to the two of you. Common passions help to build bridges, make communication flow more easily and will form meaningful moments. Whether it is movie marathons, hiking trails, or crafting adventures, these shared activities will bind your friendship tightly, turning ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones. Great friends will also widen your range of experiences by inviting you along to similar or completely new activities!

Dependable

The reliability of great friends is your safety net in life. Counting on your friends is as natural as taking a deep breath, knowing they’ll be there through thick and thin! It is important that as a friend we show up consistently for others. Being there for the small events as well as the big ones will give your friendship the best opportunity to develop and you can become the great friend you want to be. Consistency and trustworthiness create a sense of security that’ll allow you to navigate challenges with confidence. Depending on friends gives you peace of mind – if you ever fall, they’ll catch you! Friends should lift you up when you’re down. With wonderful friends by your side, you can weather any storm that comes your way, knowing that their unwavering and unconditional support is constant. Have those people in your life that you can always rely on.

FORGIVING

Forgiving a friend might not always be easy, but the greatest of friends will be patient and, even if they don’t forget, they’ll forgive. Forgiveness can sometimes be a sort of reset button during any rough patch. Mistakes and misunderstandings are a natural part of all relationships, and having friends who are willing to forgive creates a safe space for growth and healing. Nobody is perfect, there’s bound to be times where one of you let each other down, but it is how you choose to deal with those moments that will effect the longevity of your friendship. The ability to let go of any grudges and embrace imperfections your friends may have will provide an environment where you can both be genuine! When conflicts do happen, forgiveness encourages open conversations and paves the way for your friendship to grow stronger. You’re allowed to be human. If you do hit road bumps, make amends, and move forward. Great friendships will stand the test of time and remain strong.

Damn Funny!

Humour that friends bring to the table can be the extra common ground needed to grow great friendships. Everybody’s humour is unique, so it is actually very important that you recognise how you appreciate one another’s humour. Friends having the ability to make you crack a smile on your gloomiest of days is amazing. Laughter really is the best medicine! Fun laughs can become the soundtrack of your friendship, turning moments that’d otherwise be ordinary into hilarious memories. Not everyone can be extremely witty and playful right at the start of a friendship, however great friends create a care-free atmosphere where you can let loose and be yourself! Through the ups and downs of friendship, your friends moments of comedy turn even the most mundane situations into adventures filled with joy.

Thoughtful

Thoughtful friends are amazing friends. Their kindness and empathy make each day that much better! Great friends give their all to anticipate your what need and give that to you. You’ll find they also do little gestures to surprise you as a subtle reminder that you are cherished by them. It may be a heartfelt note, an out-of-the-blue visit, or just a wee text to brighten your day. Thoughtfulness binds your bond tighter. When friends lack thought and effort in your relationship, it’s upsetting and discouraging. Your best friends will pay attention to details that matter, creating a sense of connection that goes beyond companionship. Remembering important dates can be a great indicator. If you manage to wish them happy birthday without a reminder from someone else, that is definitely noted by your friend. At the end of the day, actions speak more than words. Showing love and care through action is really effective in communicating in friendships. Express to your friends that they’re not alone in their journey and that your happiness is important to them. Don’t let your friends feel forgotten or ignored, be kind and thoughtful to show your appreciation. 

“‎Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget”²

Resources

Quote (1) : Paulo Coelho – Brazilian Lyricist and Novelist

Quote (2) : G. Randolf