What Makes A True Friendship, By Mobolaji Olukayode

One of life’s most valuable relationships is friendship. A true friend is someone who shows you love and support and understands you. Beyond just having a good time together, true friendship is based on support, mutual trust, being reliable, sincere concern, and how you show up for each other

Being friends doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend time together all the time; it’s often far beyond that. It’s having each other’s backs anytime, any day. It’s a shared interest and unconditional support that grows slowly. Additionally, a true friend accepts you for who you are and makes you feel valued and comfortable around them.

What really makes a true friendship?

TRUST

Trust is one of the key qualities that make one a true friend. In a relationship like friendship, two friends must trust each other because trust is like a solid foundation for keeping secrets and sharing thoughts and feelings. A true friend doesn’t go behind your back talking about you, but acts like a saint in your presence.

It takes time to build trust; it requires constant honesty, dependability, and consideration. Your trust is strengthened when a friend maintains your confidence, honours their commitments, and helps you overcome obstacles.

LOYALTY

A loyal friend is someone who stands by you, especially during hard times, and when things are rough, they will be there for you during your darkest moments. A loyal friend doesn’t vanish when things are hard; rather, they will be there for you like a sister and a brother. When the world seems overwhelming, they provide consolation, understanding, and support.

Loyalty entails defending your friend when others criticise them, maintaining their confidence, and believing in them when they doubt themselves.

SUPPORT AND MUTUAL EFFORT

Having a true friend can automatically mean having an effective system; having a friend who supports you and is always there for you is a real blessing. Support doesn’t necessarily mean giving you stuff in times of need; it can also mean offering words of encouragement during downtimes and comforting you when needed

Also, mutual effort in the sense that we all know a one-sided relationship can’t last for long. Both parties need to invest their time, care, and energy to maintain the bond. It entails being present, checking in, and expressing gratitude. True friends try to stay in touch even when life gets hectic. They are aware that friendship requires care to flourish, just like any other relationship.

ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance in friendship is deciding to stay with a friend regardless of their flaws or how other people see them; it’s the ability to love someone as they are, without trying to change them. A true friends accept you for who u are without being judgmental. True friends embrace uniqueness and imperfections. They recognize that each person’s uniqueness is what makes them unique. You can just be yourself around them; you don’t have to act or pretend in any way.

RESPECTS /BOUNDARIES

True friends respect and value one another’s individuality, boundaries, and viewpoints. Healthy friendships are maintained through respect. True friends are tolerant of one another’s differences and opinions. They don’t judge each other or think poorly of each other. Respect enables you to listen calmly and comprehend one another’s perspectives and points of view despite disagreements. You must realize that everyone has priorities and needs their space, so being friends doesn’t mean you have to dictate every choice your friends make.