Most of us want to experience fulfilling relationships. But the best way that we can experience fulfilling relationships, is if we start by being great relationship partners. In other words, we have to be a better friend in order to have better friendships.
No matter how great your friendships are, they could always be better.
Here are a few ways to be a better friend and invite better relationships overall.
Listen to your friend.
Sometimes, it can be challenging to listen to negative experiences because negative experiences have the power to bring us down as well. However, sometimes, listening to the experiences of others can make a huge difference in the overall quality of their lives with respect to whatever it is that they are going through. Furthermore, if you are able to invest in someone that you care about, you can also reap the rewards of compassion when you’re in need.
Validate your friend.
Chances are, your friend is already pretty nervous about whether or not her perspective is genuine or relevant. Something about going through adversity makes us question ourselves. When people go through difficult times, what they really want to know is that they are understood and that their perspective matters. By validating your friend, you very well could be adding that missing link that she needs to get through this feeling of adversity and get to a better and happier place.
Empower your friend.
Going through a difficult time is challenging. Especially when matters of the heart are at stake. But when someone that you care about takes the extra effort to help to empower you, this can be just the support your friend needs to get to the other side of their problems. The best way to do this is to identify with your friends’ strengths and help her to find ways to expand upon them. Chances are, she cannot see her strengths now, but with your support, she will be able to find renewed faith in herself.
Relationships are complicated and the relationships that we have with our friends are no exceptions to the rule. For relationship support to help you better manage your relationships, please reach out to us by scheduling your free 15 minute consultation today.
