We know that modern-day technology as well as social media make it easier to stay connected with friends and keep up with their successes as well as, interests and status updates. We know that we have a busy lifestyle as well as, superficial communication, as well as intimacy and even neediness make it harder to develop as well as keep real friendships. We know that they can get connected with their friends with the help of Classroom App or Classroom. We know that cultivating durable friendships involves building a solid foundation, resolving disagreements and misunderstandings, as well as showing appreciation for the person’s presence in their life. We know that these all require staying in touch with their friends, not just online but offline as well. When a person dealing with deadlines at work, attending to their family’s needs, as well as traveling the world, or pursuing hobbies, it’s challenging to connect with friends as well. We know that making time for friends is essential if they want to keep them as well. We know that staying connected includes spontaneous telephone calls as well as quick emails, as well as online chatting just to say hi or to touch base on challenges and successes in life as well. We also know that it also means making time for face-to-face meetups, which are key to creating and maintaining a close bond as well. We all know that while inviting them to parties and happy hours is part of staying connected, they want to include one-on-one and small group meetings to have quality time together. We know that they set a date to get together, whether it’s for a Saturday brunch at the neighborhood restaurant, or can be a coffee chat before work, or a bowling game on a Friday evening as well. We know that then it will show up and treat them like a VIP as well. We know that when their friend is going through a tough time or facing a crisis, let her know-how as well as when to best reach them for support. If they answer telephone calls only during certain hours, they must respond to text messages on their lunch break, or check their emails only once or twice a day, as well as inform her of these habits. We know that likewise, don’t call them their friend at odd hours (unless they have explicit consent from them) or they must expect an immediate reply from them (unless they have a mutual understanding) to hash out the latest drama and dilemma in their life. We see that constant complaining, as well as venting, can undermine the long-term viability of their friendship, no matter how close it is to. We see that while revealing the frustrations and disappointments to good friends is natural and healthy, they also want to avoid relying on them for free therapy. They must work in setting as well as respecting healthy boundaries are critical to maintaining real friendships too. We see that they are talking with a friend, it can be tempting to chime in and give a comment here and there as well. They might even interrupt and finish her sentences because they know her so well at the same time. We see that of course, there is communication is a two-way street. If they repetitively pepper their friend with questions and sit quietly, do not reveal themselves, or have no response to her stories, the interaction can feel like an interrogation rather than a conversation as well. We see that back and forth banter and selective listening are very common among friends as well. But it can also stop them from forging a strong connection as well as true intimacy. We see that when they are checking their voice mail, eyeing their text messages, or otherwise being distracted might seem acceptable when they are with good friends, as well but it could turn them off from spending time with them as well. If they are interrupted as well as the need to attend to something else, briefly explain why and re-direct their focus as quickly as possible as we have seen too when needed.
