Podcast Episode 3: ‘It’s Deeper Than That’ Part 2
This is Episode 3: ‘It’s Deeper Than That’ Part 2 Recap and we are talking about 5 Signs of a Strong & Healthy Friendship.
Paris rejoined Evelyn and Shian in Episode 3 to continue talking about the positive side of friendships. We talked about everything from the different types of friends, how friendships evolve, the impact of positive friends in your life, and maintaining friendships during COVID-19 safely. I absolutely loved it when Paris talked about the characteristics of a healthy friendship. I’m sure I would have been able to put it so eloquently when I was 16 years old.
Teen friendships are a cornerstone in the development of a young person’s life. Friendships can be a protective and risk fact that can influence a teen's life course. Knowing the signs of both can help you make good decisions about the type of people allowed in your circle. I feel blessed to have positive relationships during my teen years. My friends supported and lifted me. Most of them are still present and doing the same for me today. (I love ya’ll!!!!)
Even though I’ve been lucky with most of my friendships developed during my teen years, not all friendships last forever. I don’t think they’re all meant to. There are some friendships that I thought I was being a good friend at the time and realized later I wasn’t. I learned you can’t just be the type of friend you want. You have to pay attention to what your friend needs and value in a friendship. You also can’t expect your friends to read your mind about what you want. It isn’t fair. These are things I wish I’d realized earlier, but it has all been a part of my journey and made me a better friend in adulthood.
So, what are the tangible characteristics of a strong and healthy friendship? According to Paris, they are:
#1: Trust
#2: Love
#3: Loyalty
#4: Having each other’s back
#5: Match of heart
If you don’t have these aspects in your friendships, you may need to be a better friend or get new ones! Maintaining healthy friendships is hard work. Having these foundational characteristics though can make it a friendship worth fighting for.
Evelyn Joy Coker, LCSW
