5  Maintaining friendships

⚠️ This book is generated by AI, the content may not be 100% accurate.

5.1 Communication

📖 Myths and facts about communicating effectively while maintaining friendships.

5.1.1 item You should always be honest with your friends, even if it hurts their feelings.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • There are times when it is better to spare a friend’s feelings than to be brutally honest.
  • explanation:
    • Honesty is important in relationships, but it’s also important to be compassionate and understanding. If you know that something you’re going to say is going to hurt your friend’s feelings, it’s okay to sugarcoat it a little bit. The most important thing is that your friend knows that you care about them and want what’s best for them.

5.1.2 item True friends will always be there for you, no matter what.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Friendships are not always easy, and there may be times when your friends are not there for you. It’s okay to be disappointed, but it’s important to remember that they may have their own reasons for not being able to be there.
  • explanation:
    • Friendships are built on trust and support, but they are not always without conflict or disagreement. There may be times when your friends let you down or disappoint you. It’s important to remember that they are only human, and that they may have their own struggles or issues to deal with. If you can forgive them and move on, it will only strengthen your friendship.

5.1.3 item If you don’t hear from your friend for a while, they must not care about you.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • There are many reasons why someone might not contact you, and it doesn’t mean they don’t care about you. They may be busy, stressed, or going through a difficult time.
  • explanation:
    • It’s easy to jump to negative conclusions when you don’t hear from someone, but it’s important to remember that there are many possible reasons why they may not have gotten in touch. Instead of assuming the worst, reach out to them and see how they are doing. They may be grateful for your关心and support.

5.1.4 item The best way to handle a conflict with a friend is to avoid talking about it.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • It’s important to address conflicts with friends head-on, even if it’s difficult.
  • explanation:
    • Conflicts are a natural part of any relationship, and friendships are no exception. The best way to handle a conflict is to address it head-on, even if it’s difficult. Talking about the issue openly and honestly will help to clear the air and resolve the conflict. Ignoring the issue will only make it worse in the long run.

5.1.5 item You should never talk about your problems with your friends, because they’ll just get tired of hearing about them.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • It’s okay to talk to your friends about your problems, but it’s important to be mindful of their time and feelings.
  • explanation:
    • Friendships are built on trust and support, and part of that support is being there for your friends when they are going through a tough time. It’s important to be mindful of your friends’ time and feelings, and not to dump all of your problems on them. However, it’s also important to be open and honest with your friends, and to let them know when you need their help or support.

5.2 Conflict resolution

📖 Myths and facts about resolving conflicts in friendships healthily and productively.

5.2.1 item The best way to resolve a conflict is to avoid it altogether.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • It is better to address conflicts head-on in a respectful and open manner.
  • explanation:
    • Avoiding conflict can lead to resentment and a breakdown in the friendship. It is important to acknowledge and address conflicts in a healthy way in order to maintain a strong and healthy friendship.

5.2.2 item Only talk about the conflict when you are both calm and collected.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • It is okay to have difficult conversations when emotions are running high, as long as both parties are respectful and willing to listen.
  • explanation:
    • Waiting until both parties are calm and collected can lead to the conflict being swept under the rug and not addressed properly. It is important to address conflicts as they arise, even if it means having difficult conversations when emotions are running high.

5.2.3 item Never go to bed angry.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • It is okay to go to bed angry, as long as you are both committed to resolving the conflict the next day.
  • explanation:
    • Going to bed angry can help to give both parties space to calm down and think about the conflict more clearly. It is important to make sure that both parties are committed to resolving the conflict the next day, however.

5.2.4 item It is important to always forgive your friends, no matter what they do.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • It is okay to set boundaries and limit your contact with friends who have hurt you.
  • explanation:
    • Forgiving someone does not mean that you have to continue to be friends with them. It is important to set boundaries and limit your contact with friends who have hurt you in order to protect your own well-being.

5.2.5 item True friends will never let you down.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Even the best friends will let each other down at some point.
  • explanation:
    • It is important to have realistic expectations of your friends. Even the best friends will let each other down at some point. It is important to forgive your friends and move on when they let you down, as long as they are truly sorry.

5.3 Emotional support

📖 Myths and facts about providing and receiving emotional support in friendships.

5.3.1 item Myth: Real men don’t cry

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Better Alternative Belief: It’s okay for anybody to cry; it’s not a sign of weakness.
  • explanation:
    • Explanation: Crying is a normal human emotion that can be experienced by anyone, regardless of gender.

5.3.2 item Myth: Friendship is always perfect

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Better Alternative Belief: All friendships go through ups and downs.
  • explanation:
    • Explanation: Just like any other relationship, friendships can sometimes hit a rough patch. This doesn’t mean that the friendship is over; it just means that the friends need to work together to overcome the challenge.

5.3.3 item Myth: Friends always agree with each other.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Better Alternative Belief: True friends can respectfully disagree with each other.
  • explanation:
    • Explanation: It’s okay to have different opinions than your friends. In fact, it can make the friendship stronger by allowing you to see things from a different perspective.

5.3.4 item Myth: Friends always have each other’s backs.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Better Alternative Belief: Sometimes, it’s justifiable for a friend to not be there.
  • explanation:
    • Explanation: There will occasionally be times when a friend can’t be there for you, even if they want to be.

5.3.5 item Myth: Friendships are easy.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Better Alternative Belief: Friendships take work
  • explanation:
    • Explanation: Maintaining a friendship requires effort from both parties.

5.4 Trust

📖 Myths and facts about building and maintaining trust in friendships.

5.4.1 item True friends should always agree with each other.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Healthy friendships can tolerate disagreements and different perspectives.
  • explanation:
    • Expecting complete agreement in a friendship can be unrealistic and stifle growth. Friendships that allow for open and respectful dialogue, even when opinions differ, are more likely to thrive.

5.4.2 item Friendships should be based on shared interests and experiences.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • While shared experiences can contribute to friendship, it’s not the sole foundation.
  • explanation:
    • Friendships can blossom even when individuals have different interests and backgrounds. Common values, mutual respect, and a desire for connection can be more significant factors in building and maintaining strong friendships.

5.4.3 item If a friend betrays your trust once, they will do it again.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Trust can be rebuilt with time, effort, and accountability.
  • explanation:
    • While regaining trust after a betrayal requires caution, it’s possible with genuine remorse, amends, and a willingness to prove trustworthiness over time. Dismissing someone permanently based on a single transgression can limit opportunities for growth and forgiveness.

5.4.4 item It’s not worth investing in friendships that require effort.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Maintaining friendships requires nurturing and commitment.
  • explanation:
    • Like any meaningful relationship, friendships require effort to thrive. Investing time, energy, and communication into maintaining connections shows appreciation, strengthens bonds, and helps friendships weather challenges.

5.4.5 item Real friends will always be there for you, no matter what.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Friendships have limits and may not provide support in all situations.
  • explanation:
    • While friends should provide support when possible, it’s unrealistic to expect them to be available and supportive at all times. Friendships have boundaries, and it’s important to respect the limits of time, resources, and emotional capacity.

5.5 Growth and change

📖 Myths and facts about navigating growth and change in friendships.

5.5.1 item Friendships should always be the same.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Friendships evolve over time and adapt to the changing needs of each person.
  • explanation:
    • As we grow and change, so do our friendships. It is important to be open to change and adapt the friendship to the new circumstances.

5.5.2 item It is easy to maintain friendships from afar.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Maintaining friendships from afar requires effort and intention.
  • explanation:
    • Maintaining friendships from afar requires regular communication and effort to stay connected. It is important to make an effort to stay in touch and schedule visits when possible.

5.5.3 item Friendships should be effortless.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Friendships require effort and maintenance.
  • explanation:
    • Friendships take work and effort to maintain. It is important to be willing to put in the effort to keep the friendship strong.

5.5.4 item Friends should always agree with each other.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Friends can have different opinions and still be friends.
  • explanation:
    • It is important to respect each other’s opinions and be willing to compromise and find common ground.

5.5.5 item Friendships are meant to last forever.

  • better_alternative_belief:
    • Some friendships are meant to last a lifetime, while others are more temporary.
  • explanation:
    • It is important to be open to the fact that some friendships may end and that it is okay to move on and make new friends.