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You might have many friends in your life, but some of them are more special than the others because they have the qualities of a good friend. Good friends love you unconditionally and are there to support you at any stage of your life.
Such friends become an indispensable part of your life. They make you feel comfortable around them, and are accepting and non-judgemental of your actions.
True friends support us through tough times, offer companionship, and bring happiness to our lives. Knowing what makes a good friend can deepen these connections. This post discusses some of the irreplaceable qualities of a good friend that become the building blocks of friendship. Such friendships are like rocks that stand the test of time. Read on.
29 Qualities Of A Good Friend
The beauty of friendship lies in the fact that you both may be different people, yet you share the same values and qualities that bring you closer and bind you into a true friendship. Here are some qualities that can transform a casual acquaintance into a lifelong friend.
1. Trust
A good friend is someone you can trust completely. You can share your deepest secrets and most intimate thoughts with them without inhibitions. Any strong relationship is based on trust and so are true friendships. So, a good friend always keeps secrets that you don’t want to be revealed. The feeling has to be mutual here. A good friend is also one who trusts you unconditionally and does not question or suspect you unnecessarily.
Point to consider2. Perception
It always helps to have someone with excellent perception around. You can rely upon good friends to get good advice. Their sound judgment about people, situations, and places helps them give you the right direction to make appropriate decisions. It also helps if the friend is objective to provide you with unbiased opinions.
3. Honesty
An honest friend will tell you that your acting is bad, and you should look for an alternative career. They will not lie to you to gain brownie points or to make you feel better if they know the truth will help you in the long term. The perfect friend will make sure you do good even if it hurts you.
4. Generosity
A good friend has a big heart. They give without expecting to receive—whether it is time, emotional support, or material things. They are also gracious enough to accept your apology if you goof up at times.
Quick fact5. Courage
Whether it is to go head to head with you in an argument, take a stand for you against a hundred naysayers, or back up your views and dreams, a good friend has the courage to fit into the role seamlessly.
6. Loyalty
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Someone who leaves you when you need them most or switches sides as soon as they see a more beneficial friendship opportunity can never be a good friend. Lifelong friendships are based on a strong sense of unshakeable loyalty, the kind that prompts your friend to fight for you even though you may not be on talking terms after a tiff.
7. Kindness
You would want to surround yourself with kind people who will pick you up after a fall and check if you are okay. The compassionate friend who always has a smile or soft word to spare for you and a willingness to look out for you is someone who is your support when you have a negative experience and crave reassurance and comfort.
8. Empathy
Real friendships have empathy as their base. Good friends can understand the emotions their friends are going through. They may disagree with the action, but they will explain why it is wrong with a deep understanding. This is why a good friend can make you see things from other perspectives when a hundred others have failed.
9. Resilience
Like any other relationship, lifelong friendships are those that have been through ups and downs. A good friend is resilient to handle the tiffs, misunderstandings, and the distance that creeps in at times and still stay strong by your side. Resilience also helps your friends stand tall and carry on even when you have fallen weak.
10. Patience
The ability to give space, time, and attention requires patience. A good friend who is patient has to do all of this and more. A good buddy tries their best to correct you, but when they can’t, they patiently wait for you to realize the error and come back to them.
11. Acceptance
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Friends who are open-minded and accept you the way you remain your friends for life. Bad friendships can force you to change yourself into someone you do not even recognize. Real friendships never demand you to overhaul your persona to suit the other’s desires. A good friend is proud of you the way you are, and even if they wish to bring a change in you, it would be for your good, not for their convenience.
12. Individuality
A good friend does not try to change themselves to fit in with your clique. They retain their individuality and teach you to respect that about them. Often, the best of friends are diametrically opposite in manner, thoughts, and life choices, but it doesn’t get in the way of the friendship, and that is the attribute of good friends.
13. Good cheer
Life is not always easy. There are bound to be tough times when you want someone by your side to support you and face hardships with a cheerful smile. A good friend lifts your spirits, makes you feel cheerful, and helps you emerge victorious no matter what is ahead of you. Also, they can help you have a fun time.
14. Humor
Laughter is the best medicine for many ills, and who can be a better friend than one who is humorous? When your best friend is someone with a great sense of humor, you are bound to have the best time with them.
15. Emotional availability
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A good friend may not be physically present with you but will be emotionally available at all times. Even if you live miles apart, you can still feel connected to them and share your emotions.
16. Protectiveness
The beauty of friendship lies in the fact that you have each other’s backs.
A good friend is a protector who steps up to safeguard you from anything that is a potential threat, be it people, situations, or harsh words. You can expect your best friend to get defensive first and ask questions later about the situation.
17. Adaptability
One of the most wonderful aspects of friendship is that it can remain the same no matter how you change through life. A good friend adapts as changes happen in your life and stays the same through them. Adaptability ensures that the relationship between the two of you never changes, and neither does trust, respect, and affection.
18. Forgiving
As humans, we all make mistakes. We hurt the people we love and say things in a fit of emotion that we do not mean. A good friend is forgiving enough to look beyond these momentary aberrations and stick by your side.
19. Nurturing
A good friend takes care of you and makes sure that you are doing well physically and emotionally. They nurture and nourish you by keeping track of your life and lifestyle. Their responses are always encouraging. They scold you when necessary and cajole you at other times to keep you hale and hearty.
20. Listening skills
Who listens to you when you wake up at 3 am to rant about your ex? It’s your best friend. There will be times when all they have to do is lend you a shoulder to lean on and a sympathetic ear to listen to you while you unburden yourself.
Point to consider21. Helpfulness
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When you are stuck in any trouble, it is your friend you turn to. You want them to be there without a moment’s hesitation to bail you out of emergencies. That’s what a good friend does—extend a hand as soon as they know you need one without waiting for you to ask.
22. Clairvoyance
Good friends often seem to read your thoughts and call up to check on you as they know about your thought process. They understand you well enough and know how to direct you towards the right path.
23. Practicality
There will be times when you make decisions driven by emotion alone. That’s when you need someone to look at the practical aspects and give you the right inputs. A good and thoughtful friend is also a guide and advisor and will help you achieve success in every aspect of life.
24. Positivity
A positive thinker is an asset for everyone. They always have nice things to say to a friend and other acquaintances. When your best friend has a positive attitude, it is infectious, and you cannot help but believe that everything will be alright. The attitude is a great help when you are going through a challenging phase in life.
25. Straightforwardness
While your casual friends might hesitate to call you out when you are wrong, a good friend will not wait even a moment to tell you the truth. That’s how a straightforward friend prevents you from doing things that you might regret later.
26. Respect
You both may horse around, pull each other’s legs, trash talk, and even exchange friendly banter, but a good friend is always respectful of your feelings, views, and beliefs because these are a part of who you are. They respect your choices and stand by you when someone questions them.
27. Genuineness
A good friend is genuine about their feelings for you and expresses them with sincerity. Be it their happiness when you succeed or their discomfort with poor choices that you make, your good friend is sure to come out and express it with utmost sincerity, holding nothing back.
28. Boundaries
A good friend knows how to respect your limits. They understand when you set personal boundaries and won’t push you to do things you’re uncomfortable with or cross any lines you’ve drawn. A true friend respects your boundaries and won’t be upset if you say no. They might even support you in sticking to your limits. However, if your friend tries to manipulate your feelings or gives you silent treatment, they can’t be considered an honest and trustworthy friend.
29. Non-judgemental
A nonjudgmental friend makes a safe place to be yourself without worrying about being criticized or made fun of. Instead of pointing out your flaws, they show understanding and empathy, even when you make choices that are different from theirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I find good friends?
Many people believe that you don’t find good friends, they happen to you. Yet, it is good to put some effort into finding good friends in this big world. So socialize often and meet new people. You will need different types of friends to live a life of purpose. Open up with them and build trust. Find shared interests and spend quality time getting to know each other well. Nurture friendship each day to make good, humble friends.
2. Is it okay not to have friends?
Having friends or not is a personal choice. While enjoying your own company is perfectly fine, having a friend ensures you don’t get isolated. Friends are individuals who bring a smile to your face and help you sail through all the thicks and thins of life. They provide you with the human contact necessary to enjoy a different face of life.
3. What are the signs of a fake friend?
A fake friend gets jealous of your success and gets competitive with you. They expect you to be there for them, but they will never be present to help you. Fake friends try to be part of all your activities but remain secretive about their life. Their self-centered behavior often causes them to disrespect and hurt you.
4. How can I nurture and maintain friendships?
Nurturing and maintaining friendships require effort. Make sure you maintain regular contact, spend time together, respect each other’s boundaries, and express appreciation and gratitude regularly. Simple acts like sending them a quick message or giving them a small, thoughtful gift can also go a long way in strengthening your bond.
Friends are a treasure for life and having one true and selfless friend is better than having many so-called friends who do not even know much about you. Understanding and empathizing with you and standing by you no matter the situation are essential qualities of a good friend. Cherish the moments you spend with your friends and make as many memories as possible as these will bring you happiness when you look back at them in the future and make your bond stronger. This is a bond where you can share love unconditionally.
Infographic: Benefits Of A Healthy Friendship
Friends are like your second family. They care for and understand just how your family is to you. So it is a blessing if you have found friends who spread positivity in your life. Dive into this infographic to understand how important it is to have a good friend and share it with your friends as well. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Having a loving and supportive friend is the most precious gift life can offer.
- Good friends always have your back and are loyal, caring, and trustworthy.
- They stand by you during tough times, give you honest opinions, and are surely your best cheerleaders.
Illustration: Irreplaceable And Important Qualities Of A Good Friend
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Learning the qualities of a good friend will help you know who your true friends are. This video lists the absolute best traits of such a friend.
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