July 30, 2024
Celebrate the friends who stand by us, share in our joys, and support us through every twist and turn with a HiLU!
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Today is all about celebrating the incredible people who stand by us, share in our joys, and support us through thick and thin. We intuitively know that friendships are one of the most valuable treasures we have, but we often don't talk enough about how to be a better friend, intentionally. Today is the perfect opportunity to cultivate the habit of intentional friendship by showing our friends just how much they mean to us. By focusing on what we can do to be a better friend, we shift our attention to being positive and proactive actors in our own lives, and often the result is better and deeper relationships throughout our lives.
Tips on how to be a better friend this International Friendship Day:
Take a moment to think about what makes your friends special. Is it their unwavering support, their infectious laughter, or their incredible kindness? Let them know! A heartfelt message of appreciation can make a world of difference. Don't forget that studies show our friends will be more pleasantly surprised than we could imagine.
In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in our own routines and forget to check in with our friends. Make a conscious effort to reach out, listen, and be present. Whether it's a quick call, a coffee catch-up, or a HiLU message, showing that you care can strengthen your bond.
Often, the advice here is about achievement (celebrate the graduations, the promotions, etc. -- and these are of course great!). But only celebrating the big wins can perpetuate a feeling that our worth is tied to what we can accomplish (our doing) instead of our being. In addition, look for the more subtle moments you can amp up your friends -- the long-awaited and carefully planned vacation, the subtle shift to a more productive way of handling a challenging situation, or making a choice you know was hard for them. Your encouragement and recognition of these small wins can boost their confidence and make them feel seen and valued.
Friends are there for each other through thick and thin. If your friend is going through a tough time, offer your support. Sometimes, just knowing someone is there for them can make a huge difference. A voice message filled with words of encouragement and empathy can provide comfort and strength. While many of us struggle with what to say, all the research indicates it doesn't matter so much what you say, so long as you say it with warmth and sincerity.
Being a good friend means being a good listener. When your friends share their thoughts and feelings, give them your full attention. Show empathy and understanding. Respond thoughtfully and let them know you value their perspective. Your attentive listening can deepen your connection.
Affirming your friends is a powerful way to nurture your relationships. Positive other-affirmations can boost your friends' self-esteem, improve their mood, and strengthen your bond. Counterintuitively, other-care of your friends is the best self-care, as all of these steps will make you feel fantastic. HiLU makes it easy to send personalized, heartfelt affirmations that your friends can cherish and revisit whenever they need a pick-me-up.
In honor of International Friendship Day, why not make a commitment to affirm your friends regularly? Use HiLU to send thoughtful messages that remind them of their worth and the positive impact they have on your life. Small gestures of kindness can have a lasting impact and create a ripple effect of positivity.
Thank you for being part of the HiLU community and for being on the forefront of the movement to spread active kindness. Let's make this International Friendship Day a memorable one by celebrating our friends and showing them just how much they mean to us.