As we go through life, people move in and out of our social interactions. Particularly when we have children with mental illness, it can be difficult to trust others enough to let them know what’s really going on in your life—and in your child’s life. So how can we tell whether someone is a true and genuine friend? While you might hang around with some people, such as people in your neighborhood, your gym, or your faith community, not everyone fulfills the role of a true friend.
Here are five signs that someone is interested in and capable of being your genuine friend.
1. They want you to accept yourself as you are.
A true friend will love you exactly as you are, and wants you to love yourself the same way. They are the people who will help to strengthen your self-regard when you’re feeling down, and they’ll help you gather courage when you’re nervous about taking on a new challenge.
2. They’re honest with you if they think you’re making a poor choice.
True friends won’t blow smoke in your face if they think you’re wrong about a situation or if they see that you could benefit from some guidance. If someone is too afraid to step in or sits back and watches while you make a bad decision, they don’t have your best interest at heart—so they’re not a true friend.
3. They’re present with you.
Being fully present is difficult for most people to achieve, but a true friend will try their best to give you their undivided attention when they’re with you. They won’t ignore you or keep checking their phones, but will listen and respond attentively. And they can focus on you without turning everything you say around to make it be about them.
4. They help you laugh at life—and sometimes at yourself.
Have you ever noticed how good you can feel simply by putting a smile on your face—and better yet when you can laugh? Humor has that superpower. True friends have the gift not not taking themselves too seriously—and they can help you do that too, when you’re in a tough spot.
5. They give you support when you need it the most.
While true friends celebrate your successes, they also are capable of supporting you when you are faced with hardships. A true friend steps in more like a family member when you are at your lowest and does anything they can to help you feel loved.
Bonus tip: They will also sing along with you!
What other qualities of true friendship have you noticed in your life? Share with us in the comments, or talk about friendship on our discussion board.