Friendships help us feel connected and less isolated in the world. When we’re engaged with people in our life, we have an outlet to express our joys, worries, and struggles. You may have a few close friends or a large group of acquaintances, but no matter what your friendships look like, there are ways to keep the relationship strong. 

Tips for Creating Long-Lasting Friendships 

In order to maintain friendships, we need to stay connected with those friends. It’s easy to feel swept up by the business of work, school, or family responsibilities. It can sometimes seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day, and a “let’s get together next week” can quickly turn into “let’s try for next month”. Friendships, just like any other relationship, take commitment. Create a standing appointment with friends. Maybe it’s dinner or a game night on the first Friday of the month. Knowing that once a month everyone will take the time to get together takes the pressure out of trying to find a day or time that works for everyone. Even if you only get together that once for the month, you will create that routine that allows you to see each other without having to create a new schedule or plan. 

When creating lasting friendships, it’s also to remember that quality is more important than quantity. Just because you are surrounded by people, doesn’t mean that you are surrounded by friends. Seek out the people who make you feel comfortable being your authentic self. If you find yourself guarding your conversations because you worry the other person might repeat your thoughts or secrets to others, that is a sign that it may not be a healthy relationship. Friendships are built on trust, and finding people you trust creates a quality friendship. Find people with whom you share common interests, or who challenge you to grow in a safe and healthy way. A few of those quality friendships far outweigh a large social circle that doesn’t support you. 

Once you find those people who support you, make sure to reciprocate the action. Friendships are about give and take. If you have a friend who constantly supports you when you’re struggling, but you never check-in to see how they are feeling, they will feel unappreciated and will probably seek out other friendships. Celebrate your friends’ successes and lift them up when they need help. Many times, it’s the little things that make a friend feel truly appreciated like a quick note when they ace a test or a cup of coffee after a rough day. 

Trails Momentum for Young Adults

At Trails Momentum, we provide the people, place, and experiences that allow young adults to gain insight, practice healthy independence, realign goals, and learn new tools to help them launch into adulthood.

Many of the young adults we work with have struggled with self-doubt and fear of leaving their comfort zone. Over the course of the program, they learn how to take back control of their lives and step up confidently as leaders in a group setting. The skills they learn teach them to communicate more effectively, manage overwhelming emotions, and build strong connections with others that help them succeed in multiple areas of their lives. For more information please call (828) 457-8576.

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