Signs of a True Friend

They take note of little things about you

No one has a superhuman memory, but a good friend will remember things about you and pick up on your minor patterns over time. As your friendship evolves, it may go deeper than little information like your cat’s name or that you secretly cheated in the fourth grade.

They put effort

Have your friendships faded because of different life paths and obligations? For example, you used to be best friends with someone in tenth grade when you shared a schedule with them, but you drifted apart in eleventh grade when you had no classes together. This is especially the case during transitional points, such as starting a new grade level school or job, but if you have true friends, they’ll always try to maintain the friendship even when life may separate you.

They do not wish to change you

While broadening your horizons and trying new things is great, some friends may, for example, push you to go to a party or gathering you don’t want to attend. Opposites may attract, but a true friend won’t try to change you to their liking. They’ll respect what you want and don’t want and you overall. After all, each other’s company is what makes friendships work.

They pay attention

A true friend won’t say, “ah shucks, that sucks but wait until you hear about what happened to me,” or “that’s not as bad as what I’m going through.” Instead, they will offer their sympathies, advice, a shoulder to cry on, emotional support, or anything else they can. However, they will still talk about themselves to you because a true friend will know when you need to be the one talking.

You can count on them

If someone is bringing you down when they should be lifting you, chances are they aren’t your friend. A true friend will unconditionally love and support you without thinking that that should have been me. Do you ever feel like a friend is secretly jealous of you? They might try to talk you out of doing things while pretending to be your friend, or they might not be happy for you when good things happen to you.

Do your friends feel like they only support you when it’s convenient for them or when you’re having fun? A true friend will help you even when it’s inconvenient for them. They won’t make you feel guilty or like a burden for needing their help; instead, they’ll show you the love and support that everyone needs from time to time.

They practice honesty

Have you ever heard the statement it’s better to be hit in the face with the truth than caressed by a lie? A very true friend must have come up with that phrase because that’s what they do every day, whether it’s about something a friend disagrees with you on or something that occurred without your knowledge, a true friend will tell you regardless, even if it may be difficult to hear because a true friend will know that you need to hear the truth. How they’ll tell you may vary depending on the individual because some people are blunt while others are subtle, but in the end, they will tell you no.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.

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