Friendships can be a strange thing.
Sometimes you can try for years to be a close friend to someone and only ever be good friends. Sometimes you can meet someone once, and somehow the connection is set, and now you are old friends with years of friendship behind you.
Sometimes someone you thought was your best friend ghosts you out of nowhere.
To have goals is to know your end game and what you want out of any relationship or interaction.
What Does It Mean To Have Friendship Goals?
How many friends do you still know from elementary school, middle school, or your old neighborhood?
What are some best friend goals? Just what does it take to be a better best friend? I have looked over my life and my friends’ life (best or not).
I have some of my own goals that I try to achieve and look for when making friendship goals.
Keep reading to learn more about what to look for when making friendship goals.
Best Ways To Be Best Friends
To develop friendship goals that mean something, we should look at ourselves and see that we also should have the goals we want for others in ourselves. You shouldn’t expect someone to do something for you that you are unwilling to do for others.
Be Open-Minded
There is no one else like you.
You are your person and have your own life, and so do the others. Sometimes we can forget there are others out there that want to live a life different than yours.
When looking for true friendship, it’s okay for someone to lead a different life and still be a best friend.
Of course, it’s okay to have preferences and say no, but if you only had friends that offered nothing outside of what you know, you’re not going to have many friends.
Be Reliable
Have you ever made plans with someone, and it took some time to get ready?
Maybe you found babysitting, maybe deep cleaned your place beforehand, or went shopping for an outfit just for the occasion? You felt excited and were ready as you waited for the time to come.
Only for them to cancel 10 mins before, or maybe they don’t even bother to call until the day after. How are you going to feel when they call again?
A stable friendship is just that, Stable.
A good friend is there when you make plans. A best friend is someone who is there when you need them most, good and bad. Be someone anyone can call, emergency or not.
Be Able To Be Trusted
There is something nice about telling someone a secret and having no doubt in your mind they will never tell another soul.
How do you know they won’t tell? Because they have shown in the past, they can keep a secret, especially yours.
Trust is built on 10% words and 90% actions. Show that you won’t buckle the moment someone asks “for the tea,” and now you can be called Trustworthy.
Be Willing To Show Compassion
Sometimes when you make a mistake, even though you are ready to fix it, you just want someone to say it’s okay. That we are all human beings and no one is perfect. We like to be comforted and told that even though sometimes we fall, we are doing better because of it.
At the beginning of a struggle, being overly critical doesn’t help anyone, let alone someone reaching out to spend time with you.
Be nice if someone is calling on you for support on their well-being.
Be Loyal
What does the word loyal mean? The dictionary states “giving or showing firm and constant support to a person.” Loyalty goes hand in hand with being reliable and trustworthy.
Being loyal is:
- Keeping the promises you make
- Keeping secrets when asked
- Keeping any plans that are made
- Sticking with your friends till the end
Be Able to Listen
When I am spending quality time with a person, there is one thing that I always notice at the end of each interaction. Something that tells me if I even enjoyed spending time with them.
Did they listen to what I had to say?
It doesn’t have to be some mind-blowing dialog; I get that I’m not friends with Socrates.
But I like to know that I am being heard.
Did they ask more questions?
Did they have light or fun input?
Did they make eye contact or match your energy if eye contact wasn’t made?
Everyone loves personal attention, and the most basic way is to show that through active listening.
Be Honest
Sometimes we lose our way in this complex and hectic world; sometimes, we get stuck in our heads, thinking only in black and white.
When we get to those places, we can be sensitive to what someone says.
Having a trusted, loyal friend who has learned how you react to constructive criticism or unsolicited advice can help ease you out of any unhealthy headspaces.
They will also know when you need hard truth, and you have enough respect and trust in them, you will consider that they are just trying to help you.
Be Fun
The best way to make friendship goals is to have fun! Almost everyone you decide to be friends with is because you had fun with them! You got to spend quality time with this person somewhere down the line, and you enjoyed it!
Let go and have fun with your new friend!
How Do You Set Friendship goals?
You made it down the list, and now you can be a better friend because of it. But now you wonder how you set your own friendship goals, and it’s pretty simple.
Whatever you are willing to put out, also expect that from others.
Friendship is a two-way street, and you should expect someone to put in just as much energy as you do.
What If We Are Too Different To Have A Friendship Goal?
Our friends influence how we think about our world and how we see things. Some people have lived different lives and are moving in a different direction than you.
It’s good to have best friends and friendship goals with others outside your everyday lifestyle.
It’s helpful and eye-opening to “expand your horizons” and get fresh insight from someone you know is your friend!
Can I Be Friends With Someone Of The Opposite Sex?
Yes, you can!
True friends understand that you guys can just be friends. It can be hard to not ‘catch feelings,’ or for some, there can be peer pressure outside of the friendship to make it into something it is not.
It’s all that you are willing and able to do. Friendship is about someone caring about your overall well-being. That can happen with anyone, same gender or not.
My Final Thoughts
It doesn’t matter where you met them, what gender they are, where they have been, and where they are headed; as long as they care for you and want you to be happy and healthy, they are friends.
I’m glad I could give you some of my insight, and I encourage everyone to continue learning and growing. Become the best friend everyone will call when they want #Friendship goals!
I hope you will continue learning and growing into a better version of yourself every day.
Remember to love yourself and others around you.
