7 Ways You Can Be A More Intentional Friend | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

7 Ways You Can Be A More Intentional Friend

Everyone wants to be loved, valued, known, and cared for.

3074
7 Ways You Can Be A More Intentional Friend
Marissa Ritter

There is a quote that has always stuck with me, "I'd rather have four quarters than 100 pennies." I love this quote because it puts the importance of value in perspective, especially if you compare it to friendships. Wouldn't you rather have four best, committed friends than have 100 acquaintances or fake friends?

The thing is, it's hard to find true friends and sometimes it's even hard to be one. We live in a world where busyness consumes us, it sometimes prevents us from being intentional, and in life, especially in relationships, intentionality is key.

Here are 7 ways how you can be a more intentional friend.

1. Learn your friend's love languages.

I highly suggest that you and your close friends or loved ones take the love language test at http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/. Through this test, it ranks your love languages and tells you what motion of love resonates with you the most, whether that be words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, receiving gifts, or physical touch. By learning our friend's love languages we can be more intentional by showing them love in that way, knowing it'll mean that much more to them.

2. Try to meet with different friends every week.

The best way to balance and be intentional in friendships is every Sunday, see what days you have free for the week and try to schedule one meet up with a friend. This way you are able to see what friends you haven't gotten together with recently and makes it a habit to be more intentional.

3. Quality is better than quantity.

I mean, even Jesus, only had 12 disciples, and that is a fact whether you're a believer or not! With that I am saying, we are not meant to be everyone's friends, but instead really pursue the relationships we do have with people.

4. Communication.

It's a two-way path. You can't be an intentional friend if you don't communicate with your friends. Tell them what you need, and ask them what they need. Don't be afraid of the hard questions and conversations, after all, that's what intentional friends are for!

5. Yes, be there in the hard times, but don't forget to celebrate the successes.

It is so important to be there for our friends in those hard times and be the person who gives them a shoulder to cry on. However, we can't forget to celebrate each other's successes, no matter how small. Encouraging each other to value even the little things in life is a beautiful thing.

6. Not being afraid of vulnerability.

Most of the time, people won't feel comfortable opening up to you, if you won't open up to them. Take that first step and break the ice, and jump in a little, even if it's cold and hard at first.

7. Find the Balance.

Finally, it is so important to find the balance in friendships. Although, being an intentional friend is so important, make sure you give time for yourself to refresh and renew. If you don't give that time to yourself, you are not going to have the energy to be equipped to invest in others, so take time for yourself too! And make sure you are surrounding yourself with some people who are investing in you too!

If we all became a little more intentional, I feel that this world would be a lot better place, as no one would have to feel alone or that no one understands them. Everyone wants to be loved, valued, known, and cared, so let's make that happen, being more intentional with one friend at a time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179079
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6253
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451805
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22914
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments