The Differences Between a Friend and a Best Friend
Friendship is defined as “the emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends.” Almost everyone in the world has friends, and almost everyone has at least one person that they consider to be a best friend. There’s that certain feeling of comfort that you get with some people that make you consider them to be part of your family rather than just a friend.
What’s the difference between a friend and a best friend? Well, there are many unique factors that every individual wondering this very question will take into account on their own when defining their friendships. There are some basics that can and should be taken into consideration when you find yourself stuck in this dilemma.
First, start by asking yourself what drew you to this person in the first place. What led you to call them a friend, or best friend? Was it their sense of humor? Was it because they have similar interests to yours? Was it their kind nature and sense of calm you feel around them? If you can pinpoint why you connected with them to begin with, it may help you to determine on what level you connect with them.
The next factor to consider is how well they play the part of friend or best friend. How well do they meet your friendship needs? Look closely at what your wants and needs are in a platonic relationship. What are your expectations? How many of them are met by those closest to you? Doing so should help you have a more clear cut idea of what it even is that you desire from a friend or best friend.
The final thing to investigate is how well they treat you and how you feel when you’re around them. Is there anything they do that gets under your skin? If there is, do you even feel comfortable enough around them to confront them about it? Any solid friendship should have some degree of healthy communication and a feeling of security when you’re around them. Do they make you feel as though you’re safe, heard, and that you matter to them? Establishing trust is incredibly vital.
Once you take a good, hard look at these important tidbits of information you’ve gathered regarding your friendships it’s time to define a friend from a best friend. Generally speaking, if someone doesn’t quite meet your needs, doesn’t make you feel comfortable, or listened to, or doesn’t respect all of your boundaries usually isn’t a good fit for a best friend or a friend at all. If your relationship with someone is a standard, surface-level one, there’s nothing wrong with that and odds are they still have a lot to add to your life and do their job of being there for you and spicing up your friendship circle.
One thing about basic friendships is that they still play an important role in our lives and we can give and gain from those kinds of relationships. However, best-friendship is something very special. If you find yourself feeling that your needs are met, you can spill your heart and soul around a person, there’s healthy communication, and a good balance of give and take, then perhaps you’ve found yourself a best friend.
These are just some of the basic foundations of what it takes to establish a healthy friendship or best friendship and what defines the two.
