Guest Post: How to Be a Good Friend

Hello, friends! I have something special for you today. Gayle from Every Little Thing is over here sharing her thoughts on how to be a good friend. Who doesn’t need that kind of advice?! ☺ Reading her guest post is like talking to a friend, and you’ll get honest, helpful advice from her in this post. Thank you, Gayle!!! ❤. (P.S. Check out my guest post for her blog HERE. I worked hard on this one, and I think you’ll enjoy it!). Take it way, Gayle!

-Rachel

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Hey there, I’m Gayle. If you don’t know me, I am the author and founder of Every Little Thing, a blog dedicated to inspiring women in self-love, finding confidence in their identity, creating an encouraging sisterhood and growing in faith. Exciting news: Rachel here has written a beautiful guest post for our sisterhood section, go check it out! Okay, so I’ve probably rambled enough, but before we get into the post I just want to thank Rachel so much for giving me the opportunity to write for her blog and her audience. I can’t wait to meet you guys!

How to be a good friend: I feel like this is something that is important to us all. And probably, if we’re being honest, something we’ve all failed at once or twice. Probably not on purpose, but definitely something we wish we knew how to fix. Or maybe you’re new at this whole friendship thing and need some pointers. Whatever the case, we’re digging into a few of my favorite tips on how to be a good friend, and by the time we’re finished here today I hope we’re good friends!

Be honest.

My first tip on how to be a good friend is to be honest. Honesty is a major important factor in any relationship, and well, it’s not always easy for some people. So, if it makes it easier, I’ll start. If I’m being honest, I am crazy last-minute writing this post. No, seriously. It’s the night before the due date and I’d really rather be under my blankets watching Netflix, eating snacks and ignoring how messy my room is. But, as much as I am a procrastinator (and hate admitting that, btw) I have been so excited for this opportunity and (again THANK YOU, RACHEL, YOU ANGEL!!) I wouldn’t miss this.

Be encouraging. 

Number two (#2), who doesn’t want to be surrounded by loving people who encourage them, cheer them on and help build them up? We’re going around this time, and saying something encouraging to one another, so blow up these comments guys!! I haven’t met you all yet (but I want to so commeeenntt, k sis?) but here’s what I have to say: I think you’re gorgeous on the inside, as well as the outside. I am extremely happy that you are a part of the blogosphere and said yes to that spark of bravery when you first created a blog. I think if you said yes to that spark, you can do anything. Go after your dreams, girl, start a fire. Heck yes, sister!

Listen. 

Did you hear that? Shh, I heard something. Or maybe that was just my snack bag crackling. Oops. (Remember, we’re being honest…it was totally my snack bag) Sometimes when people are talking, we’re hearing them, but we’re not really listening to what they’re saying. And sometimes we do listen, but only so we can talk. Ya know? Was that confusing, or is it just time for me to go to bed? The answer: probably both (like 98% sure about that) In conclusion: Just listen. Try to understand the situation from your friends POV. Ask questions to get a sense of the problem or issue, but the main thing is to listen to them. You don’t have to have all of the answers, and don’t assume that your friend wants advice – they might just want to talk so that they can work it out for themselves.

Agree to disagree.

Eek, we’ve all been in this boat – most likely, while it was sinking, because we angrily jabbed a hole in it with our Viking lance and refused to get off of our very high unicorn. Magically brutal moment. It’s hard when you realize you see things differently then your friend, a person you love, and you can’t agree on something. Right? Sometimes it can cause actual fights and whew is it stressful to be fighting with someone who is such a solid piece of your life. But here’s the thing boo, every person is raised differently, see’s things from a different perspective, and two people will never be the same. So in such case, we have to learn to agree to disagree. Maybe I could live off waffles and, let’s face it I could, but you hate them. It’s cool, sis, I still love you.I am no expert on friendship, and I’ve for sure not been a very good friend before. As much as these are tips for you guys to work on, they’re for me to work on as well. It’s never a bad time to practice being a good friend, a good sister or brother, co-worker…Heck, just a good human.

And while maybe I rambled too much and this post still wasn’t as long as I wished for it to be, I hope I connected with you. I hope I made you smile and realize that I’m just a regular gal who likes to blog and inspire human souls. And if I can leave you with one thing before I leave today, it’s this: pour love into everything you encounter. Be a good human. Make a new friend. And know you are loved. 
All my love,

Gayle

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THANK YOU, GAYLE!!

And for the rest of you…

Why does friendship matter? Why do you think God gave us friends?

Comment below with your answer to get this conversation started!❤

Other collaborations on Joyful Creations:

• Q&A with Every Little Thing!

• Guest Post: How Being Bored and Alone Made Me a Better Person (Olivia White)