Friendship is the most beautiful relationship you can have with anyone because it is built on unique human principles such as trust and shared experiences. The unconditional support of a friend creates a deep, meaningful connection that makes life worth living.
According to the American Psychological Association’s report on friendship science, People with friends and close confidants are happier with their lives and less prone to suffer from depression.
“People who lack social connections, due to isolation, loneliness, or poor-quality relationships, are more likely to die prematurely,” Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, asserts.
Even though most people say, every beautiful, long-lasting relationship should start with friendship, a person who says, “I have no friends,” is like a Tree without leaves because friends are why one person feels alive and stays healthy.
Some people, especially extroverts, make friends easily, but we can almost all agree that it might be a tad difficult to make friends as an introvert. Sometimes, introverts ask themselves, Why can’t I make friends?.. But the thing is that everyone needs a good friend or at least a best friend with whom they can share their secrets and happiness.
There are many qualities of a good friend, but a great friend is someone you can trust completely and who lifts you with positive energy every day. As American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson beautifully put it, “A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud.” Such a friend will always stand by your side and inspire you to be your best self.
What are Friendship Goals?
Friendship goals are things you strive for to strengthen your bonds with friends. You establish goals to enhance your social life rather than just hoping for the best.
For example, if you already have a close buddy, you may make goals to get together more and enhance your friendship. Explore new ideas of fun things to do with friends ideas to make your time together even more memorable. You might also want to find your “best friends whenever” through meeting new friends and setting up activities with them if you’ve recently moved to a new location.
Furthermore, you have an overall life plan that includes these goals. That is aligned with your objectives, financial plans, career aspirations, values, and health goals. Together, they all contribute to your development as an individual.
Importance of Friendship Goals
Friendship goals are essential because they help maintain long-term friendships. One of the studies shows that friendship significantly impacts your personality. “Jason Boardman, a study author from the University of Colorado Boulder, highlights, “It’s not just your genes, it’s the cumulative influence of your friends’ and classmates’ genes.” this means the surroundings you choose have a significant impact and if you not made goals with them so you might be left behind in this world.
These goals also demonstrate to our friends that we value them and are committed to maintaining our relationship. By setting boundaries and making efforts to include them in our lives, we show them how much they mean to us.
12 Friendship Goals You should Make with your Friends
There are many friendship goals that you can make to strengthen your friendship, but here I discuss ten points only, so let’s check them one by one.
1. Honesty in Friendship
The most important goal in friendship is to always be honest with your friends. Honesty is the foundation of trust, strengthening the bond between friendships. Being candid fosters true understanding and support, providing an environment where friends feel safe and, most importantly, appreciated.
You should consider truthfulness as the nails that keep a house together. The house falls apart if all the nails are taken away. Remember, your good friends care about your opinions. So, to avoid instances of friendship anxiety, express them honestly and openly, and never try to betray their trust in you. It is rightly said that.
“A true friend is forever a friend.” — George MacDonald.
2. Keep Friend’s Secrets
The second most important goal for a friend is to honor the secrets of your friends. It is a bad practice to troll them or uncover their sensitive side on the social media platforms. You should know when to let them go and when to ask for help. Protect their secrets until it’s necessary.
This demonstrates your dedication to being a reliable friend, and you people will remain close, buddy.
3. Do Not Circulate Rumors or Gossip Behind Your Friends
Another thing you should remember is to not circulate rumors about your buddy. Relationships can suffer from gossip. Instead, you should concentrate on encouraging conversations highlighting your friends’ accomplishments. Always make clever word choices and foster positive connections.
4. Spending Quality Time with Friends
Another important goal you should make is to give your friends some time of your own. Take time to do activities you enjoy as a couple, whether exploring new interests or simply relaxing and enjoying the moments you spend together. Give some quality time to your friendship to be cherished forever.
5. Support Friends when in Need
Don’t be like a fair-weather friend rather you should always be the first person to support your friend in need. Make your friends comfortable that you are there for them. As it is rightly quoted
“A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Providing a listening ear to your friend during difficult times will nurture your relationship and improve his mental health and well-being.
Moreover, because such times require us to be positive, try finding things to say to your best friend to make them smile. It will go a long way.
6. Stop Judging Friends
You should not judge your friends on their mistakes as it will end the relationship but rather give them a margin of error. You should refrain from making your friend feel ashamed for their mistakes, but instead, offer support and understanding without passing judgment. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and true friends are there to lift each other up, not tear each other down.
7. Exchange Gifts and Greetings with Friends
You should always give mindfulness gifts to each other and cherish a moment of friendship with them. You should celebrate birthdays and many events together. For most low-maintenance friendships, just saying “Happy Friendship Day” is a way of expressing love for each other. Don’t you think that’s a nice gesture, too? Even giving them a surprise party is also a fantastic option.
8. Respecting Your Friend in Public
Another important goal you should make is to highlight your friend’s qualities and strengths when introducing them to new people. You should identify the qualities in your friend that you find impressive that become a friendship goal.
For example, remember when you were going through a hard time, and your friend will become your support. Moreover, express gratitude to your friends publicly often so they can hear you supporting them. That’s a nice gesture you can do for your friends.
9. Give Space in Your Friendship
One mistake people often make in friendships is that they spend a lot of time together; that’s a good thing, but sometimes it goes wrong, and your friend will be frustrated or bored with your presence one day.
Don’t constantly hover over them or meddle in their affairs. Value their personal space. Mindfulness exercises can help you manage your own emotions and avoid feeling anxious or insecure when your friend needs time alone.
10. Do Patch Up Fast
There will be misunderstandings and small fights when there is a friendship, but how long will you take that? Remember, once any argument happens, be the first to resolve the issue and say words of apology. It’s not a shame, but it shows your values and upbringing. That is the most important thing you should do in every relationship. So resolve your fights or issues as soon as possible to avoid your friendship breakup.
11. Create Shared Memories Together
You can create lovely recollections with someone who makes you happy by sharing exciting adventures, discovering new horizons, and participating in astonishing activities to make them valuable sparks to enhance your affiliation. You can likewise preserve assortments of all your odysseys in a loved photograph collection that will create a foundation for a long period of cheerful recollections, nostalgic smiles, and a solid bond that reinforces with spending years.
12. Never Get Tired of Talking to Each Other
Another beautiful aspect of a loyal friendship is to talk with your best friend for unlimited time without feeling fatigued or fed up. You can regularly communicate with your friend either on a phone call or text to share life’s major incidents, and meaningless stories, or just relish each other’s company in peace to refresh and elevate yourself. This illustrates your strong connection with each other irrelevant of the time and distance. Such friends are genuinely a treasure trove and conversation with them is a timeless gift.
Final Thoughts
Friendship is a genuine relationship you form by your choice. Here, we discuss many friendship goals, but the reason for making goals is to maintain a long-lasting friendship. Many people ask the question, is happiness a choice? So, the answer is yes. By keeping connections meaningful and supporting your friends in their thick and thin, you can choose or find happiness in your friendship. So again, friendship is a valuable gift, so respect this as much as possible.
About the Author: Mujahid Khan Jatera
