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how do you have friends - Printable Version +- CraftersHQ (https://forum.craftershq.com) +-- Forum: CraftersHQ Community (https://forum.craftershq.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=19) +--- Forum: Off Topic (https://forum.craftershq.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=21) +--- Thread: how do you have friends (/showthread.php?tid=18162) |
how do you have friends - franklinkelsey5 - 09-30-2025 Hello, visitor! Article about how do you have friends: In this article, we decode the different types of friendships. How the 4 Types of Friendship Fit Into Your Life. Sanjana is a health writer and editor. >> ENTER THE SITE << Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. We know that friendship is important to our health and happiness. In fact, research shows us that friends are as important to our well-being as family. However, friendship can span a ton of different types of relationships. There are the friends we only meet at parties, and there are our ride-or-die BFFs. There are the friends we’ve grown up with, who know our lives inside out, and there are work friends whom we eat lunch with every day. There are friends we hang out with once in a while, and friends whom we can’t go a day without talking to. All of these different types of friends play different roles in our lives. Whatever types of friends you have, it's important to know the signs of a good friend versus a bad friend, and how to know if someone isn’t a good friend anymore. At a Glance. Acquaintances are people we know but haven’t really spent time with. Casual friends are the friends we hang out with at work or pottery class, for company and camaraderie. Close friends are our besties that we share everything with. Lifelong friends, or childhood friends, are practically family. All of these different types of friends contribute to the social fabric of our lives, offering support, comfort, advice, companionship, a sense of belonging, some laughs, and a whole lot of memories. The 4 Types of Friends. Verywell Mind tapped Britt Melewski, LMSW, a practitioner at The Dorm, to unpack the four different types of friendships and how they fit into our lives. Acquaintances. Acquaintances are friends we’ve met a few times, either at parties or through mutual friends. We kinda sorta know their names and a little bit about their lives, however, we probably haven’t had any deep heart-to-heart conversations with them or spent much time with them one-on-one. Acquaintances are people whom we have surface-level interactions with, without any significant emotional involvement in the relationship, Melewski explains. Acquaintances can offer: Friendly interactions: We might have a friendly, casual chat with an acquaintance if we run into them at a party or a coffee shop. The vibe is typically easy breezy. Social media connections: We may like or comment on each other’s social media posts from time to time. Networking opportunities: We may occasionally help each other out with ideas, advice, or connections, particularly if we discover that we share a common hobby or interest. Casual Friends. Casual or social friends are people we might befriend at the office, gym, or book club, for instance. We know more about the person than we would about an acquaintance, however, the foundation of the relationship often rests on shared environments or activities, like a sports team, a workplace, or a hobby group, Melewski explains. “The connection is more tied to the shared activity than a strong personal bond.” We might interact with these friends fairly regularly because of the shared environment or activity. As we get to know each other, we might start to chill with them before, during, or after the activity. Casual friends might offer: Companionship: Casual friends are our go-to people for activities such as getting lunch together at work or hitting up the neighborhood juice bar after yoga class. Shared interests: We might share common interests or hobbies with these friends. Whether it's a love for a particular sport, a hobby like baking, or an enthusiasm for a specific TV series, casual friends provide an outlet for discussing shared interests. Light-hearted conversation: We can engage in light and fun conversations with casual friends. These conversations may involve laughter and playful banter as we spend time together and discuss everyday topics. Low-pressure interactions: Unlike close friends or family members, there's less pressure and emotional investment in casual friendships. We can enjoy each other's company without the expectation of being intimately involved in each other's lives. Close Friends. Close friends are our besties, the people in our inner circle. These are the friends that we bond with instantly, talk to often, share our struggles with, and confide our deepest darkest fears to. These are often the friends that our values most closely align with, Melewski explains. Close friends offer: Emotional support: Close friends are our emotional anchors. They provide a safe space where we can freely express our thoughts, feelings, and fears without worrying about being judged. Trust: These friends are the ones we can count on, no matter what. They’re loyal to us and have our back. Comfort: Close friends provide comfort and consolation in times of loss, heartbreak, and grief. They understand our pain and offer emotional and practical support. Fun: Close friendships are also characterized by a lot of fun and laughter. We have inside jokes, common interests, and a shared sense of humor. Quality time: Spending time with close friends is a priority. We enjoy each other's company and make an effort to connect regularly, whether over a meal, coffee, or a fun activity. These friends are our go-to people for celebrating birthdays, holidays, achievements, and special occasions. Advice: Close friends are our sounding boards. When we're considering an idea or facing a dilemma, they offer support, advice, guidance, and perspective. Love: Close friendships are built on a foundation of love and care. These friends accept us for who we are, flaws and all, and love us unconditionally. Our well-being is genuinely important to them. Accountability: Close friends hold us accountable for our actions and decisions. They give us honest feedback, helping us grow and make better choices. Their inputs come from a place of love and genuine concern. Lifelong Friends. Lifelong friends are the people we’ve been friends with since childhood. These are often the friends you can be your most authentic self with, says Melewski. Lifelong friends offer: Steadfastness: Lifelong friends have a steadfastness that is similar to that of family members. They’ve been a part of our life’s journey from childhood to adulthood. They’ve been a constant presence in our lives and their friendship has stood the test of time. Shared experiences: These friends have witnessed the different phases of our lives and crossed every milestone with us. Our shared history creates a strong sense of connection and understanding. Belonging: In many cases, lifelong friends become as close as family. We share traditions, holidays, and significant life events with them, creating a deep sense of belonging. Familial ties: Lifelong friends are often close to our family members and vice versa, creating familial ties that go beyond just our relationship. Timelessness: These friendships transcend time and distance. Even if we haven't seen each other in years, it feels like no time has passed at all when we reunite. Lifelong friendships pick up right where they left off. Lifelong memories: Lifelong friends are keepers of our shared memories. They remember the childhood stories, the inside jokes, and the adventures we've had together, making every reunion a trip down memory lane. Friendships Ebb and Flow. These categories aren’t necessarily permanent, fixed, or as clear-cut as we might want them to be—and that’s OK, says Melewski. For instance, he explains that an acquaintance can become a close friend or a work colleague who starts off as a casual friend can become a best friend with time. On the other hand, knowing someone from childhood doesn't always guarantee an intimate connection. Childhood friends need more than history, they require mutual support and effort." He adds that relationships, friendships included, are destined to naturally ebb and flow, aligning with one's personal growth. How do you make friends when you have none How many true friends do you have How do you know if you have a good friend How do you know you have a good friend How do you know if someone has no friends |