Finding a friend is like finding a treasure. But how can you identify a true friendship?
Friendship is not always rational; in fact, it’s often almost entirely emotional. For instance, we might not know why we are friends with a particular person with whom we share little, yet we feel a strong affection for them.
True friendship, especially if we consider that it endures over time and through difficulties, is based on mutual respect and affection, sharing, and being mentally present more than physically present.
In short, as with romantic relationships, there is often much more heart than head.
However, recognizing a true friendship is easy. Here are some signs to determine if you are surrounded by true friends or if you need to find some new ones.
How to Recognize a True Friendship
1. You Must Be Mentally Present
Beyond physical presence and seeing each other when possible, the most important aspect of a true friendship is mental presence.
Being mentally present means knowing that if you call, they will be there.
It means having the awareness that if they can’t answer, they will call you back and will care about what you need to tell them.
It also means knowing that if something good or bad happens, they will want to share it with you.
Knowing that someone is there for you will never make you feel alone because you’ll know you can share both joys and sorrows.
2. You Must Feel the Authenticity
In both good and bad times, what keeps relationships vibrant is authenticity.
Being authentic doesn’t mean being without filters. Some people confuse the two and make a mistake.
If I care about you, I should tell you everything. No, that’s wrong because it means not caring about the other person’s feelings and not considering what they might be able to accept or not.
One can be authentic with sensitivity, and can say things in the right way and at the right time.
A true friend takes care of our feelings and respects our timing.
3. There Should Be No Impositions
No impositions or punitive silence. Beware of people who stop talking to you after a choice you made because you didn’t do what they said.
They might justify it as “I’m doing this for you” or “I’m doing this for your own good,” but in reality, they just want to impose their own thoughts.
Release any guilt you might feel for not meeting their expectations because you are not at fault.
Life is yours, and if there is a true friendship, it should endure beyond any personal choice.
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This article first appeared on Grazia.it- Author: Elisa Castellano
