Research shows that friendships can help one to stay connected, to be of service, and to find belonging. They can also make like life meaningful worth living and boost one’s immune system. Having strong friendships can help provide networking and mentoring opportunities for career development and advancement.
It is important to have a good understanding of the different types of friendships. As the old saying goes, ‘a handshake’ does not necessarily mean an embrace in every culture. Understanding friendships can help one to determine how much to invest in them; it can also help one to heal quicker from the heartache that often come with breakups.
Types of friendships
Aristotle divided friendships into three different types: friendship of utility, friendship of pleasure, and friendship of good.
Friendship of utility is based on the benefits that each friend brings to the table. For example, business partners, colleagues and school friends.
Friendship of pleasure is based on the enjoyment that it brings, for example hanging out, fitness, fishing and games buddies.
Friendship of good is based on reciprocal appreciation of each other’s values, trust, openness and honesty.
The first two types of friendship can can boot one’s mental health, they can lead to self discovery and discovery of one’s core values. They can help to refine one’s circle of friendship leading to the third type of friendship, friendship of good. However, they can fade when the benefits end or change, however
Friendship of good can last for longer or even for life, based on openness, commitment, trust and honesty. Only a good friend will tell you to pick that boggy from your nostrils or that seaweed hanging from your teeth.
How to make and nurture friendships
Be intentional, make time, commit in making friends. Depending on what ‘floats your boat’, below are some examples of how to make and nurture friendships:
Cooking, gardening, exercising, attending a gym class, attending a book club, going on a good night out, exchanging gifts, sending cheerful and empowering messages, meditating together, meeting for coffee. Making time and space for when one needs a good rant, a cry or a listening ear.
I hope this was useful.