So what does it mean to be a supportive friend? Being a supportive friend means being there for them and helping them to be the best that they can be. Here I have listed ways on how to be a better supportive friend.
Listening to what your friends are going through.
You should be actively listening and validating their feelings. Your friend wants you to empathize with their situation and show them that they are understood. Have them open up their frustrations by saying things like, “That must’ve been really hard to go through.” Having them open up to you is key to becoming a good and supportive friend. Make them feel that you can be trustworthy and reliable.
Don’t be the one that fixes the problem.
The one of many things you do not want to do is get too involved and having them feel dependent on you for help. Your friend mostly wants to be heard, their frustrations supported. They do not want you to solve their problems, they have to overcome their problems on their own with your support. If you go in and try to solve their problems, like I said, they will feel dependent and will think that they can’t fix anything on their own. Give your friend advice on how to better the situation that they’re in.
Help them with positive words; Be their cheerleader.
Let your friends look up to you, let them know who and where to go to and get cheered up. One of the best ways to help a friend in need is to offer a strong dose of positivity by validating their feelings and also showing a brighter side. Your positivity will rub off on them, they will definitely benefit off the good mood you have, it will make the most challenging situations easier for your friend to cope with.
We need meaningful connections with other people. Not everyone has to be a close friend, but it’s fundamental to our happiness that we show people who we truly are, allow ourselves to know them in return, and then remind each other through actions, small or large, that we care. We never need to be alone in this world, but it’s up to us to create and allow opportunities to be together, appreciate one another, and be there for one another. It’s up to us to make our relationships priorities.
Those are just some of the ways you can be a better and more supportive friend.