We grow more invested in someone’s feelings and actions the closer we get to them. With our closest friends, we are much more inclined to react. When they aren’t feeling or acting like themselves, they can make us feel wounded, frustrated, judged, or competitive. How can a disagreement with someone you’ve known for a long time and care about be avoided? Accepting that you can only alter yourself is a good place to start. Additionally, you must nearly always work on yourself before you can fix a friendship.

Evaluate these five suggestions to maintain lasting friendships as you consider what kind of friend you want to be:

• Be Honest – To build a strong friendship, you must be honest with each other. The ability to give and receive feedback from someone you trust is a gift that is often overlooked. It is also easier to resolve problems and misunderstandings in friendships when you are truthful.
• Don’t Judge Each Other – You may not agree with all of your friends’ life choices, and that’s perfectly fine. However, if you want to be friends with someone for the rest of your life, you must accept and love them for who they are. Nobody wants to be friends with someone who will only judge or criticise them. Keep it as judgement-free as possible.
• Be a good listener – The number one thing that makes friendships last is listening. When you consistently show up and give your friends the safe space they need to let it all out, you show them just how much you care about them. Sometimes, you don’t even need to say anything. You just need to listen, be completely present, and just be there for them.
• Maintain positivity – It is important to ensure your friendship with someone who is positive, and there is no toxicity to co-dependence of any kind. Remember that at the end of the day, everyone is their own person first, and then they are someone else. Have an open communication channel with your friends, and do not forget to comfort them in times of need.
• Take the time to reach out – Sometimes people drift apart because they are preoccupied with their families or jobs. They eventually meet new people and make new friends. It is critical to keep in touch with old friends. So, always make an effort to contact them.

How do you maintain your friendships. Do share.