Photo by Briana Tozour/Unsplash
I do it. You do it. We all do it. Taking best friends for granted is a common mistake most people make. So why do we often forget to show our best friends how much we love them?
Unlike romantic relationships, friendships sometimes feel less important. You might remember the exact time and place you met your significant other, but you may or may not remember why or how you became best friends with someone.
Your BFF might be a coworker who you have been sharing an office with seemingly forever. They may be someone you met at the mall or someone you’ve known since childhood. The truth of the matter is that friendships are no different than any other kind of relationship. Friendships need nurturing in order to last. Here are some important yet fairly easy ways I show my best friend how that I love her.
Check in
You never know when your best friend might be going through something. Don’t wait for an invitation to call or drop by for a visit. Check in with them regularly to make sure that they're doing okay. Spend time catching up, and don’t be afraid to ask if there’s anything you can do to help.
In a recent article published in Cosmopolitan magazine, Dr. Irene S. Levine of NYU School of Medicine notes that “good friends do try to carve out time to stay in touch [...] and to explain their absences when they’re romantically involved or exceptionally busy for other reasons.”
Be there when your BFF needs you
All kinds of unexpected things happen in life. The worst thing is when something bad or sad happens and there’s no one around to help you through the tough times. The easiest way to show your best friend that you love them is to always be there. Show up when they need you. Even if your friend doesn’t need you to do anything in particular, just being there is a great way to show that you're in their corner.
Be a good listener
Most people don’t want to hear others rant and rave about the things that are bothering them. To show that you love your best friend, you might have to listen to them rant when they’re upset or angry. Caring friends don’t roll their eyes or find some excuse to walk away. Instead they just listen. Your best friend might not remember any advice you give them, but they’ll remember that you listened.
Be loyal
Loyalty is all about being on a person's side through the ups and downs of life. Loyalty can be challenging because you may not always agree with your best friend. But being on their side through thick and thin shows that you care deeply.
Take trips together
Not everyone makes a good travel companion. Remember the movie Girl’s Trip? Each character had her own annoying quirks, but as best friends, they all learned so much and strengthened their relationship by traveling together.
“There’s no such thing as dead time when you travel with your best friend. Even something potentially mind-numbing like a 36-hour bus trip in the South American wilderness can be an opportunity for hilarity and adventure. The great thing about your best friend is that they know how to make you laugh, and can keep you entertained for hours,” says Amy Dutton in a Hostelworld blog post.
The good news is that you don’t need much money to travel with your best friend. Make a date to go to local farmer’s markets in the surrounding area or take hikes together just to enjoy one another’s company.
Show your appreciation
Most people love getting gifts and nothing shows love like surprising your best friend with a present. The best way to make an impact is to listen to your friend. Remember when they point out something they like when window shopping. Giving your best friend a gift just for the sake of it is a wonderful way to show that you care.
Be comfortable with silence
Human interactions can be stressful. There’s always pressure to talk and come up with new things to say. But comfortable silence is as warm as a bear hug. Being able to enjoy the company of your best friend, even when there’s nothing much to say, is one of the most powerful ways to show your love.
Comments / 0