7 Important Qualities of Good Friends

Friendship is one of the most important parts of our life. Yet, so many of us don't know what truly makes the difference between a friend and a good friend.

We all have many types of friends. Some we know our whole lives, others only join us for a little while. There are also those people who come and go, but are really always there in some way or another. Aside from all that, are there things, or qualities, that make good friends what they are? Read on to find out!

Usually, we think of a good friend as someone who is always there for us. But that’s not very realistic.

We’re not talking about a friend who isn’t with you at a certain time because they don’t want to be. We mean the kind of person who’s also living their life and accomplishing their goals.

If you have trouble determining the difference between friends and good friends, we’re going to show you some qualities to look out for. Read on!

The qualities of good friends

1.  A good friend knows that you need time and space to grow

Good friends aren’t just happy about your accomplishments. They also motivate you to achieve your dreams.

They know that this could end up separating you. But, they’re always there for you because they want to see you grow (personally, professionally, and as a human being).

There are some ways you can know if someone is a good friend. One is if they positively motivate you to surpass your limitations.

If you say that you’re afraid of what’s coming, they’ll probably stand by your side in the process. But, they’re also going to push you to get over your fears and leave your comfort zone.

Of course, they also hope that you recognize that they also need to pursue their dreams.

2. Your relationship is natural

Another characteristic of a good friend is that you don’t have to force things. Instead, everything flows as smoothly as possible.

Most likely, when you’re with them, there aren’t any awkward silences. You probably also don’t feel the need to plan everything. It’s like a romantic relationship. Plans and other things simply happen without forcing them.

With this kind of friend, you know that you can be yourself without problems or limitations. They don’t expect you to be perfect, and you know that they’re only human too. Above all, you accept each other and grow together.

3. Your friendship stands the test of time

A good friend doesn’t need to be with you your whole life. You can each go your separate ways, and when you have time, you see each other, talk, and motivate each other.

These are the kinds of friends who can go several years with out seeing each other. But, one day, you get together and it seems like no time has passed at all.
With them, friendship isn’t conditional. It’s not based on your social status, job title, or any other factors. It doesn’t matter who you are, who you’ve become, or the problems you’ve had. A good friend will always feel the same.

4. They will tell you what they think

Just because someone thinks what you’re doing is bad doesn’t always mean they’ll tell you. But a good friend won’t have a problem telling you that you’re wrong. They’ll also tell you when they think you’re making a mistake.

They do this because they value you as a person and they’re there to see you grow. They won’t try to make you change your attitudes or decisions. They know that those are only yours to change.

If time shows they were right and you were wrong, they’ll still be there to support you and help you get through. But although this is definitely one of the qualities of good friends, you should remember that there’s a difference between this and hurtfully criticizing you or judging you.

5. They always think of you and keep in touch

Above, we said that a good friend can follow their path in life and keep the relationship going. This is because they’re thinking of you in some way or another. Today, technology makes it so that good friends can stay closer despite the physical distance between them.

This is the kind of friend who sends you an email when you least expect it. Or, they chat with you on a social network. By doing this, they’re keeping you updated on their plans and dreams.

They don’t expect you to keep in touch all the time. But, know that they also need to talk with you. Sometimes, they share good moments. Other times, you can help them through hard times by talking with them.

6. They share

They can be half way around the world, but good friends always share life’s ups and downs. Did you graduate from university? Did you have your first child? They want to be a part of it.

They might not be able to take a flight and be there in person, but, they probably want to see a photo or video of the moment.

But this doesn’t just apply to the good things in life. When you lose someone (a breakup, a death, etc), they’ll be there for you, and that’s what really makes this one of the important qualities of good friends.

They’ll be with you as much as they can in these situations. But you’ll  know that there is always someone somewhere thinking about you.

7. They accept you as you are

Everyone has problems. A good friend is able to see yours and accept you regardless. They won’t try to change you just to make you fit into a certain environment or time. Instead, they will help you be yourself.

The only goal they have is to help you change for the better. That means that they’ll let you decide when and how to do it.

And what about you? Now that you know more about the qualities of good friends, ask yourself some questions: are you a good friend? Are you fortunate enough to have one? Have you told them how much you value them?

Reconnect with a good friend today!