A good friend isn’t really hard to find when you know how to identify them! But unfortunately, most people don’t even realize that they are already in the presence of good friends. This is because they are busy hanging out with the wrong crowd!
Your best friends can vary and have unique sets of personalities and attitudes. They may be funny or thoughtful and remain there for you in every situation.
Friendships make life meaningful and can have a positive impact on your health as well. In addition, good friends offer emotional support and make you feel loved and connected.
So, whether you have too many best friends or are still looking for one, here’s all you need to know about the qualities of a good friend and how to know which friendships are worth investing in!
What are the characteristics of a good friend?
We meet many people in life who move between the spectrum of an acquaintance and a best friend. Therefore, knowing the attributes of a good friend can help you value your current relationships and assist you in making new, meaningful connections.
So, from casual acquaintances to best friends, here are the top qualities of a good friend.
1. They are Loyal
When the world has abandoned you, your friends will be the only ones left to encourage you to stand again and never give up in life – it’s everything you will ever need!
A good friend with this trait will never let you feel alone even when you think you are not worthy of anyone, especially after a failure!
2. They are Accepting
Good friends will respect your decisions and accept how you wish to live your life – even if they don’t clearly understand it. They will always be there for you to celebrate the person you want to become.
Interestingly, your friends will also encourage you to identify your uniqueness and motivate you to face life situations without the fear of being replaced, judged, or rejected.
3. They are Honest
If you have really found a good friend, you will know that they don’t sugarcoat things. They know that letting you deny actuality can harm you, which is why they say everything honestly.
Also, they are there to slap you with the most painful truth, even if it hurts your emotions. They are willing to look like a bad person just to save you from devastating situations in life. So cherish them while they are here!
4. They are Caring
A good friend will remind you to love yourself more. This advice will definitely help, especially when you are in a toxic relationship. They will remind you to look after yourself and be kind to yourself rather than slowly shattering your heart after a toxic companion.
They will remind you that you deserve love and that taking care of yourself should be your priority.
5. They are Inspiring
A good friend is your real-life guide. They teach and inspire you to become the best version of yourself by learning to treat yourself with more care, love, and kindness. This will increase your self-worth and boost confidence within you.
Some other qualities of a good friend include:
- Patience
- Comforting
- Always present for you
- Supportive
- Committed
- Positive
If your friends have these qualities, it is best to cherish them and let them know that you appreciate their presence in your life.
How to spot a bad friend
Every friendship has problems, but a lousy friend will follow a consistent pattern of toxic behavior. Several signs can indicate that your friendship is mentally and emotionally harming you and other relationships that you have in life.
Below are some signs and symptoms to watch out for.
1. Distrust
If you find yourself having a friend you cannot trust, it may be time to part ways. Also, if you feel uneasy or uncomfortable with them, know that you are in the wrong company.
2. Abusive & Malicious Behavior
Abuse may not always seem obvious. Listen to your intuition in this case. For instance, if you feel degraded or mistreated by your friend, you are in an antagonistic relationship that can damage your self-esteem and mental health.
Also, if your friend speaks or calls you names that hurt your feelings, you must know it’s time to part ways with them!
3. They are selfish
Every friendship must be equal, which means that you should receive as much as you put in. Remember that every relationship is based upon mutuality and reciprocation. If you find yourself consistently putting in more effort than you are getting, think twice and determine if it’s really worth it!
4. You feel bad after spending time with them
Sometimes it is challenging to analyze behavior, but your intuition and emotions never lie. Friends should make you feel good, uplifted, and empowered. But if you don’t feel comfortable around them, then it’s time to re-evaluate the benefit you are getting from the friendship. Also, if your ‘friends’ tend to bring you down every now and then, breaking off the friendship is the least you can do for yourself.
5. They are jealous
This is one of the most common tell-tale signs and showcases the competitive behavior of your friends. An abysmal friend is jealous of you when good things happen in your life. They don’t feel happy when you have achieved something in life.
On the contrary, good friends celebrate your success and increase your happiness.
Some other negative traits of bad friends are given below:
- They are aggressively competitive
- They bring drama into your life
- They say bad things behind your back
- They use your secrets against you
- They are a bad influence
- The conversation is never equal
Do you really feel they are your good friends? Think again!
How to find a good friend
Some people may find making new friends as an adult a challenging task. It also becomes hard to put yourself out there between personal and professional obligations.
Here are some methods that will help you find optimistic and fulfilling friendships.
1. Try new activities
Look for the things that involve strangers. It is best to do the things you love, and when you do those activities with people you don’t know – the fun doubles! Moreover, research also shows that we seek friends who have similar interests. Who knows? A new friendship could be waiting for you in your next dance, yoga, or art classes!
Here is what you can do:
- Attend Local Events
Be it a block party or a singles meetup, don’t be afraid to go alone and strike up a conversation with people. Chances are, you will meet someone just like you!
- Take up a new hobby
Try sports, take a class, or join other group activities or meetups. This will enable you to meet people who have similar interests like you.
- Travel
Heading off on holiday, locally or abroad, gets you around new people. For instance, you met an acquaintance traveling to the same city/ country. You go on having conversations about the best places to visit, what good food to have, etc. Thus, your little interaction might turn into a really good friendship as your interests meet. And who knows, you might even travel together!
2. Become your own bestie
We always hear people say that we are responsible for our success, failure, contentment, etc. Indeed we are!
It is not good to depend on others for your happiness. Instead, learn how to make yourself happy. For example, take yourself on dates, see a movie, or plan something special for yourself. It is essential to treat yourself with respect, love, and care. It represents that you are confident, love yourself, and have high self-esteem.
3. Be a good friend to others as well
Always remember that friendship is based on equality and reciprocity. Therefore, ensure you embody all the traits and qualities listed in the first section. Be a good friend to people who deserve it, and cut out those who don’t!
Good Times + Crazy Friends = Great Memories
Building meaningful relationships requires effort, work, and patience. You have to be vulnerable and honest about how you feel. You must also trust your gut about cutting negative people.
A good friend makes a positive impact on your life. If you make friends with people who help you, support you, inspire you, and celebrate your presence, then you must cherish them and try to imbibe the values and qualities they have.
Apart from this, a good friend will have the power to mold you into the best version of yourself. They respect and love you for who you truly are. Moreover, they also encourage you and push you to do better and be the best person you desire to be – your ‘ideal self’.
Tell us in the comments below about the friends you admire the most!
