
You connect despite growth
In times of transition, it can be easy to say goodbye to everything from your old life to make room for all the new things, including the bonds you formed over the years. However, the wiser choice might be to make an effort to stay connected with old friends. If you’re moving away, that might mean catching up over a phone call or a video call. Perhaps you’re entering a new career, which might mean managing your time. Nothing is more reassuring than an old buddy.
Your friend still makes you happy
If your friendship is deteriorating and you don’t appear to have anything to do or discuss together regularly, that would undoubtedly be the cause. However, you might want to reconsider if you can still laugh together. If a relationship is full of belly laughs, inside jokes, and happiness, it could be a smart idea to stay friends. Laughter brings people together by making them feel good and releasing hormones called endorphins, the same ones that lessen pain and induce pleasure.
You both want to make it work but are embarrassed to start
It’s true what they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. You might realize that without your friend in your life, there’s a hole you can’t seem to fill. It might be difficult to apologize and work things out, but is your pride worth ending something special? Have you ever had a fight with a friend that seemed important at the time, but after holding on to anger and not speaking for a while, you regret it?
Miscommunication
Did your friend say anything, and you misinterpreted what they meant, causing you to become upset? You could also have said something, causing them to draw the wrong conclusion. The good news in this situation is that the problem can be solved if you talk things out, are honest about it, and are open to working things out. There’s no reason to stop being friends with someone over a miscommunication because it’s so easy to misunderstand someone’s intentions over a text message, which is how many of us communicate.
They make time for you
It might be wise to end friendships with friends who don’t bother to make time out of their busy schedules to see you or talk to you, but if a friend with a busy schedule rearranges their plans so that they can see you even if you don’t see them very often, they’re a keeper. People make time for the things that are important to them, so it hurts when they’re always busy, even though it has nothing to do with you.
Social Invalidation
Do individuals try to meddle with your friendships because they have an opinion about them? Maintaining a friendship in the face of adversity is frequently a very brave thing to do if your friend is good for you. Other people will always be judging; what matters is how you feel with your friend and that you do what you believe is right. Perhaps your friends disapprove of the friendship because you both hang out in different circles or because your friend isn’t cool enough.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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You may also like these posts on The Good Men Project:
White Fragility: Talking to White People About Racism |
Escape the “Act Like a Man” Box |
The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer |
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Photo credit: iStockPhoto.com
White Fragility: Talking to White People About Racism
Escape the “Act Like a Man” Box
The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer
