Friendship Rules for People of All Ages

Now that you are an adult, if you look back at your friendships throughout the years, you will see that the general rules regarding your friendships have really always been the same. This is because regardless of age, friendship is something that is able to stand the test of time as long as both parties are willing to nurture it. Knowing the timeless rules of friendship help to ensure that you always know what to do to stay close to the friends that you hold most dear so that you can turn them into lifetime friendships.

Never Lose Your Identity

You often hear about friends essentially mimicking parts of each other and while this is not always a bad thing, it is a important that both friends maintain their own sense of identity. Remember that you both were drawn to becoming friends with each other for a reason. Being different is important and it is actually a great way to foster a friendship and promote growth. This is because both friends can learn from each other’s differences and use these differences to become more confident with their own personal qualities and traits.

Of course, when it comes to things like loving the same dress, you can share it with no problem. But, things like individual personality traits are the things that you want to hold onto so that your friendship is something that only serves to reinforce personal strengths. This means that both friends are better people for simply being friends with each other.

Tell the Truth and Say it with Kindness

It is inevitable that you and your friends are not going to agree about everything and this is perfectly okay. Remember that while you have a bond, you also have your own lives and your own wants, needs and likes that make you both unique. If a problem arises and you are unhappy, you should always be honest with your friend about this so that the two of you can work it out. Just remember to present any issues that you have with kindness because close friends can easily come to a solution and move past any problems.

Always Stick Up for Your Friends

Remember when you and your friends stuck up for each other on the playground when someone made fun of one of you? Well, sticking up for your friends is just as important when you get older. Your friend deserves respect and it is important that you let other people know this when they are crossing a line. Remember that everyone makes mistakes and this is no reason to allow others to belittle your friend for it. Simply letting your friends know that you have their back is a quick and easy way to strengthen the bonds of friendship.

Never Gossip About Your Friends

You surely knew people in high school who would start talking about their friends the second they turned around and this is never okay. Friendships are built on trust and trust does not exist when friends talk badly about one another. If you have an issue with a friend or you are concerned about something happening in their life, you should go directly to the source and talk it out. Bringing other people into the situation never ends well and it can actually do a lot of damage to a friendship, even if your bond is very strong.

Always Return the Favor with Friends

Your friends are always there for you and doing favors whenever you need them, so it is important that you reciprocate whenever possible. When your friends know that they have someone who cares and will be there, they too will go out of their way to ensure that you always have what you need. Generosity and simply being there are two of the most integral parts of being a good friend and showing someone you care.

As you can see, you maintain your adult friendships just as you did your childhood friendships. Things like genuine kindness and being authentic apply as much today as they did when you used to run around the playground together. Just remember that adults are a little more complex than kids and that life can be rougher as an adult. Simply adapt and adjust these rules as they apply specifically to the friend that you love and you are sure to have relationships that only get stronger and better as the years continue to pass.

References:

http://goodlifezen.com/10-simple-ways-to-strengthen-friendships-for-a-lifetime-2/