Finding a best friend can be difficult, and when you do find a great friendship, you really know it. What's more, you are always looking for ways to improve your friendship when things get tough because, hey—BFFs are hard to come by. When you find your friend soulmate or that one friend who just gets you (and your addiction to Chipotle), you cherish that relationship and nurture it. However, like any relationship, things aren't going to be perfect.
Maybe you both have grown a little distant and you are feeling disconnected from each other. Maybe one of you moved to a different area, and you can't have your weekly coffee dates anymore. Maybe it's as simple as a small miscommunication and neither of you want to admit what you did wrong. Whatever the case may be, it’s time to get this friendship back on track—and it's totally possible, too.
Even if you feel as if your friendship is indestructible, it’s still important that you work at it. Putting in the effort will make for an even stronger bond, and it will bring you two closer. Go that extra mile with your bestie, and you’ll be sure to have a long and happy road ahead of you both, filled with Chipotle, Netflix, and all the other important components of any BFF-ship.
1. Stay In Touch
To keep your friendship alive, you’re going to talk to each other. I know, I know. Groundbreaking. Some people may say that the best kinds of friendships are when you can go a long time without talking and everything stays the same, but I think there’s something to be said for keeping up the conversation as well. Texting consistently or even having scheduled phone dates can make you and your bestie feel more involved in each other’s lives. Being real: My BFF knows what I’m eating for dinner and even what my pooping schedule is like. Too much information? Oops.
2. Say How You Feel
The only way you’re going to keep a long-lasting friendship is if you both are able to express yourselves fully. That means being able to express those uncomfortable feelings as well. Maybe your friend made a comment joking about how you have a big butt and, hey, you might be sensitive about that (you work that booty, though, girl). Instead of pushing your emotions under the rug and keeping quiet, you should tell him or her what’s up.
3. Show That You Care
In romantic relationships, we show our partner we love them by our words and kind gestures. Why not use this same approach in your friendships? Don’t leave your BFF in the dark. Scream your love from the rooftops—which, by the way, in today's world is basically equivalent to an Instagram post.
4. Don’t Judge
Most people judge. It happens; we’re only human. But there’s something about a best friend that listens to you consistently without judgment (or at least knows how to hide it well). The next time your friend is telling you about his or her crazy one night stand or new okCupid profile, keep a nonjudgmental vibe and your friend will appreciate it. At the end of the day, we all know you've had an embarrassing crazy night out once or 15 times as well, so don't forget that.
5. Leave Room For Independence
Sometimes in friendships, you can find yourself in a co-dependent relationship. You two lean on each other for everything. It’s nice to have someone to count on and to be there for you, but it’s also important that you two allow each other to be independent. This sounds like relationship advice, right? Well, the same rules apply. You know the friend that gets jealous when the other friend does something without him or her (FOMO is the worst, though, guys)— don’t be that person. It's healthy to have a life away from your best friend, so don't forget to get out there on your own once in a while.
6. Be There When Needed
If you want to be best friend material, you have to be willing to put in the work. This means not only being there for the great times, but also being by your friend’s side during the rough times. Your BFF was just broken up with? You’re already on your way with a bottle of wine in hand. You know what to do without your friend even asking.
7. Encourage
Everyone needs some encouragement sometimes, and I’m sure your friend does too. There are so many things in life that are stopping us from achieving our dreams and goals; you don't want to be one of those things. Be the opposite. Encourage your friend to do whatever it is that he or she wants to do. As long as it will make him or her happy, be there rooting him or her on.
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