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9 Ways to Strengthen Your Friendships

November 9, 2019 By Christine Field

This post may contain affiliate links.

I have really been enjoying tracking and writing about the more unusual days of remembrance – cake day, kindness day, napping day – and more.

November 10 is Forget Me Not Day. It’s a great day to reconnect with friends and family and honor those relationships.

strengthen friendships

For many moms, friendships are situational. I recall with great fondness the moms group I attended when my kids were really little. We prayed together and traded parenting tips.

Many good friendships were formed when I homeschooled my kids. Moms groups got together to commiserate and share teaching strategies.

Unfortunately, friendships seem to come and go. People and situations change, which can be a challenge to the health of a friendship. Friendships can be fragile and require time and energy to be at their best.

Making friendships a priority can help to overcome these challenges.

Today I have a few very close female friends. We survived all the phases of motherhood and life.  I cherish them.

While it’s not entirely under our control, there are many things you can do to strengthen and preserve friendships.

Try these ideas to make your friendships stronger than ever:

  1. Stay in touch. Reach out to your friends regularly. They’ll be much more likely to stay your friends over the long term. A short hello text or a card sent out of the blue will nurture the relationship.
  2. Think about what your friend needs right now. Everyone has a challenge or two they’re facing. How can you help? Let them know you’re available and concerned. This is a big part of being a good friend. Dropping off a dinner or an unexpected dessert could be just what they need!
  3. Avoid judging. You won’t approve of anyone 100% of the time, not even yourself. Your friend will make choices you don’t agree with, and that’s okay. They don’t approve of everything you do, either. Give your advice when asked and be supportive.
  4. Give an occasional compliment. We could all use a little confidence booster now and then. Be the one to give it. Your friends will appreciate it, and you might even get a few more compliments in return.
  5. Spend time together. Absence weakens relationships. Friendships need time and attention to thrive. When do you have time this week to spend time with the friends that mean the most to you? One of my friends I am only able to see once every several months because of our schedules but we make it happen.
  6. Find common interests you can share. Sitting and talking is great, but there are a lot of other things you can share. Be active with your friends. Eat meals, watch movies, work out, or go shopping together. Is there a shared favorite artist or movie you can see? Get it on the calendar.
  7. Take on a challenge together. You become closer to those you suffer with. This is one of the reasons military buddies tend to have such strong relationships. But you don’t have to go to war to face adversity side-by-side. Climb a mountain or take a class together. The options are unlimited.
  8. Road trip. Road trips are often part misery and part adventure. Climb in the car and take a trip to a new place together. You’ll create plenty of memories and have all the time in the world to chat and share.
  9. Try new things together. New restaurants, sports, or other activities can be a great way to strengthen your friendships. What are some things you’ve always wanted to try that a friend might like? Skydiving? Spelunking? Painting? Archery? Go for it together!

It’s also important to stop doing the things that weaken your friendships. None of us are perfect friends.

Ask yourself what you can do to be a better friend. Could you be more patient? More available? Less self-centered? Take a look at yourself and try out some positive changes.

How many friends have you lost track of over the years? How many of your friendships are weaker than they used to be?

Unless you’ve intentionally tried to strengthen your friendships, they’re not as strong as they could be.

Make your friendships a priority and do what you can to preserve and strengthen them. You’ll be glad you did!

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Friendships, Relationships Tagged With: how to be a better friend, strengthening friendships

Previous Post: « 9 Aspects Of Life You Must Handle If You Want To Be At Ease
Next Post: Nine Questions To Ask Yourself Before Deciding To Live Abroad »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lauren

    November 12, 2019 at 10:27 am

    These are great! Female relationships are my life raft!

  2. Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au

    November 13, 2019 at 3:14 am

    Hi Christine, I must admit I’ve lost touch (by choice or circumstance) with several friends over the last few years. I just seem to have moved on from them and can’t be bothered working on maintaining relationships with people who are always busy, or self involved, or boring, or whatever. I now have a smaller group of friends who I value highly and where I invest my time and energy (and they invest back in me). It’s hard to make new friends in Midlife, and that’s where the blogging girls have been a godsend – like-minded, positive women who are living their best livees – I love you all!
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂

  3. suzanne vosbikian

    November 13, 2019 at 6:39 am

    Really good advice. #7 is interesting and has always been a curiosity. #2 is weighing on my mind right now, but the last sentence of #3 keeps my mouth shut! Visiting from #mlstl

  4. Patricia Doyle

    November 13, 2019 at 9:10 am

    I saw a phrase years ago that really stuck with me: “Friends for a reason, Friends for a season, Friends for life.” It made me accept that some friendships will fade away, like the fall leaves. Visiting form #MLSTL

  5. Sara

    November 13, 2019 at 11:18 am

    Friendships really do need tending. Even if we can’t be together often, phone calls and even messaging on Facebook can keep friendships going until you can see each other in person. This post is a great reminder to treasure our friends!

  6. Pradeep

    November 15, 2019 at 12:57 am

    Unlike good old days, today it’s easy to stay in touch with friends. And these tips are very good ones to ensure that friends remain friends. Thanks for sharing. #MLSTL. I have shared on my SM.
    — bpradeepnair.blogspot.com

  7. Miranda

    November 15, 2019 at 8:05 pm

    Mom friendships are so important! Love your post. Great reminders to be vigilant to guard and care for our friendships.

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Hi, I’m Christine

Have you been a wholehearted mother, but time, toddlers and teenagers have moved on? If you are wondering what comes next for you, you’ll feel right at home here.

Or, are you a mom for whom family life has been non-Pinworthy and parenting has been downright painful? I hear ya. There are many of us around.

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After a couple decades of writing books and articles about parenting, homeschooling and adoption, speaking to homeschoolers and other parent groups, and reaching out to the mom in the trenches who was trying to make the best of it - my kids grew up. Some grew up and grew away. I was determined to find a way out of the pain, emptiness and lack of direction.

For many of us, the journey starts with something we moms are not accustomed to. After years of caring for and serving others, sometimes we forget the beauty and wonder of US. We need to spend some time getting to know the parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, and take the time to explore interests and passions that we set aside.

I’d like to invite you to get the “What’s Next for Mom” workbook and jump into this growing tribe of Moms who are emptying the nest and filling the life! Let’s reignite your Mojo after Mothering!
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About Christine

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At Real Mom Life, my passion is to provide resources and reassurances for moms facing the surprising challenges of family life. In my writing and speaking, I explore solutions to unexpected issues in adoption, homeschooling, special needs, and more while encouraging moms to extract the maximum joy out of each day. Read More…

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