4 Ways to Build Stronger Bonds with Your Friends

The demands of life can pull you away from meeting new people and connecting with your friend group.

Life is better with friends. You can celebrate your wins together and cheer each other up when someone is feeling down. You can learn from each other and motivate each other to achieve new goals. Friends can also create a sense of belonging, a feeling that comes from knowing that you are wanted and valued.

Making and creating friendships as an adult can be difficult though. In childhood, you likely became friends based on who was in your class or who you sat next to on the bus. But, in adulthood, it’s not always as easy. The demands of life can pull you away from meeting new people and connecting with your friend group.

If you’re looking to strengthen your friendships, read on. Here are some thoughtful ways for you to re-engage with your closest companions and form even tighter bonds.

1. Be Supportive

Friends offer support and encouragement during times of need and distress. Talking things out with a friend, whether it’s post-breakup or about a new job opportunity, can help you put things in perspective. Even if the world feels like it’s crashing in on you, knowing that you have someone to talk to can make all the difference. As a friend, you want to let your close ones know that you’re open and willing to be there for them during the good and not-so-good times.

While you can tell them that you’re there for them, showing them can be the most touching sentiments. Inviting someone over for a meal or suggesting a long walk together one sunny afternoon are both supportive gestures. For the pals that live a bit farther away, you may have to get a bit creative. Get well soon gifts sent to a friend who is under the weather or undergoing a medical procedure is one way to show that you care from afar. No matter how you show your support, being there to uplift their spirits will strengthen your connection.

2. Schedule Regular Friend Dates

Life can be chaotic, so much so that the weeks and months simply pass you by. You have every intention of scheduling that girl's dinner or going to that workout class with your bestie. However, unless it’s scheduled and on the calendar, it may not happen. Scheduling friend dates in advance prioritizes your bond while also giving you something to look forward to.

One easy way to find a time and place that you and your friend(s) can agree on is by sharing your calendar. If you have a personal calendar, sharing it can make it easier for you to arrange that movie night or spa day. Alternatively, you can make it a habit to take out your calendars and proactively schedule your next meetup while you’re together. As the check comes to your dinner table, for example, have everyone pull out their digital calendars and find the next best time to see each other. This practice avoids the various back-and-forth text messages, which can often cause confusion and sometimes frustration. 

3. Do Everyday Life Together

Not every meetup has to be the most well-organized, best day ever. In fact, you may grow closer to your friends doing everyday tasks together. When life is super busy or you’re feeling drained, then the idea of a dinner out may not be what you need. Instead, ask your friends if they’d like to meal prep with you on Sunday afternoon. You both need to get ready for the week, so why not do it together?

Getting errands checked off your to-do list while you’re with a friend makes even the most mundane tasks a bit more fun. This can look like going grocery shopping together on a weekend morning or taking turns cleaning each other’s homes. For friends that don’t live near you, suggest getting together over Zoom or Facetime. Maybe you suggest a closet cleanout hang-out session where you both try on clothes and finally tackle that donation pile. You’ll end the call feeling more productive and accomplished. 

4. Go on Vacation

There’s a time and place for accomplishing chores, but there’s also a season for escaping your routine and going on vacation. Getting out of your comfort zone and traveling to a new destination will strengthen your bond and allow you to connect on a deeper level. Recent research shows that 45% of travelers use vacation as a time to reconnect with their friends.

When vacationing with friends, consider who you want to go with and if the group will get along well together. Perhaps you travel with one close friend for a long weekend, going to a new spot that you’ve both never explored together. Or maybe you plan in advance and get your whole group of friends in on the idea of a cruise together. Regardless of where you go or when, you’ll come back with long-lasting memories thanks to uninterrupted connection time.

Takeaways

Strengthening friendships takes time and energy. You can’t send one text message and assume that your friendship is going to blossom. Like a flower, you have to water it and tend to it before it can grow. Small steps can lead to big results, so go ahead and send that text message and get a friend date set up on the calendar. You may just be surprised at how much you missed being with your friend or how you really needed to catch up together in-person.

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