Friendships are formed of unique stories that keep two or more people glued together. Even though every friendship is based on a different story, there are a few things that are a must in all healthy friendships. Here are 7 qualities that help determine a healthy and long term friendship.
Friendships come and go is what we are all told since the beginning. However, this is because we are seldom taught how to maintain friendships in the long run. Some of us are considered to be lucky because they found their friends for life. But that’s rarely the case. If you dig deep, you’d know too that it is a mutual effort to make things work that act as a glue for healthy friendships.
What are the qualities of a healthy friendship?
Here are 7 qualities of a healthy friendship that will help a bond sustain through thick and thin.
-Mutual trust
-Mutual respect
-Healthy communication
-Mutual sense of empathy
-Supporting each other’s growth
-A sense of mutual honesty
-A sense of love and affection from both ends
Now let’s take a deep dive to know how these quantified parameters help determine and strengthen an intangible thing as friendship.
Mutual trust is a compulsion
It is not a cliche without a cause when they say trust is a must for relationships to thrive. In friendships, trust does not restrict itself to combat insecurity. It plays a significant role in determining the quality of friendship and the way it can help you both grow. For instance, if a friend keeps promising you something and works against it quite a many times, you need to talk!
Mutual respect is uncompromisable
Respect is a very sensitive aspect when it comes to friendships. Why? Because your friends are allowed to prank you, make casual jokes and vice versa. However, if the friendship is solely based on one person always making fun of the other; that, my friend, is not at all healthy! Mutual respect also involves respecting each other’s boundaries.
Healthy communication is a super spice
A great communicator can almost shine bright under all circumstances. It remains true in case of friendships as well. Most people either react impulsively in an endeavour or break all ties with their friend(s). However, talking things out with a calm and empathetic approach can not only solve the problem at hand but can also solve issues that hide under the surface.
A mutual sense of empathy is a sign of a matured bond
Empathy is a gift to the mature mind. It comes with awareness and a strong sense of security from within. A person can empathize with others only when they are truly capable of understanding themselves and the other person. Try to understand where the other person is coming from and why they are reacting the way they are reacting.
Supporting each other’s growth is a sign of true friendship
Remember, a friend who has no ulterior motives will always love to see you grow and this should be mutual. Not everyone you cross paths with will be interested in your journey but a true friend will not leave your side while you’re hustling to grow. This is one of the best and the rarest qualities of true friendships.
A sense of mutual honesty is crucial to growing the seed of a sustainable friendship
Honesty is really the best policy! If you want to be friends with someone for the long run, you have to be honest with them. It’s alright if you don’t like something about them, just be honest about it. A stranger with ulterior movies will always praise you but a true friend will hold the mirror to your face and still root for you.
A sense of love and affection is obviously what brings two together
This should go without saying but a bond of pretence won’t last long if there is no real substance. There has to be a mutual sense of love and affection for each other if two or more people are to make a bond for life. Often when things are rough, love and affection from a true friend make a lot of difference in your life.
If you liked this article, you must check out the Fuzia community. We post such content consistently for our global audience. You may also want to check out our Instagram and Twitter handles where we share daily bytes of relatable content.