How to Be the Bestest Friend?

Ever wondered what it truly takes to be a better friend? Unlock the secrets to nurturing deeper and more meaningful connections in this episode of "I Wonder", sparked by Samantha's heartfelt query on improving friendships. 

We'll explore the core qualities that elevate relationships—like trust, kindness, and unwavering support—while offering some practical tips to transform your interactions. We’ll discuss the art of being present, the power of small acts of kindness, and the importance of apologizing when things go awry. 

Whether it’s a compliment or just listening, discover how these simple yet profound actions can enrich your relationships and make you the friend everyone deserves.

What's Your Wonder?
Is there something you’ve been wondering about that you think would make a great episode of I Wonder? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your question through our website, and you might just hear it featured on an upcoming episode!

www.iwonderpodcast.com

Episode Transcript

I Wonder Podcast Host (00:03):
Hey there , curious minds.
Welcome to another episode of"I Wonder, the show where we
explore the questions you'vebeen wondering about.
Today's question comes fromSamantha, who asked how can I be
a better friend?
Such an important question,Samantha.
Friendships are one of the mostvaluable parts of life, but

(00:23):
being a good friend takesthought, care and effort.
Let's talk about what it meansto be a great friend and explore
some ideas to help youstrengthen your connections with
the people who matter most.
Here we go.
Friendship isn't just abouthaving fun or hanging out with

(00:49):
someone you like.
At its core, being a goodfriend means building trust,
showing kindness and supportingeach other through good times
and bad.
It's about listening whensomeone needs to talk, sharing
your own feelings and respectingeach other's boundaries.
Friendships grow when bothpeople feel valued and

(01:09):
understood.
But let's be honest friendshipsare not always easy.
Misunderstandings can happen,schedules get busy and sometimes
people drift apart.
That's where being a goodfriend requires effort and
thoughtfulness.
Let's look at some ways that youcan strengthen your friendships

(01:31):
and make them even moremeaningful.
Listening with your fullattention.
One of the best ways to be abetter friend is to truly listen
when someone is talking to you.
This doesn't just mean noddingand waiting for your turn to
speak.
It means focusing on whatthey're saying, asking questions

(01:53):
to show you care and trying tounderstand how they feel.
When you listen with your fullattention, you're showing your
friend that they matter to you.
For example, if your friend isupset about something, you don't
always need to offer advice.
Sometimes just saying thatsounds really hard, I'm here for

(02:14):
you is enough.
Listening isn't about solvingproblems.
It's about being present andsupportive.
.
Showing kindness in small ways.
Being kind doesn't meannecessarily doing something huge
or dramatic.
Often it's the little thingsthat can make a really big

(02:35):
difference.
Sending a quick text to checkin, remembering something
important to your friend oroffering to help.
them when they're stressed areall talk can brighten someone's
day.
Telling your friend I love howcreative you are or you always
make me laugh lets them.
know what you appreciate aboutthem.

(02:56):
These you, respect of kindnesscan strengthen your bond and
make your friend feel valued.
Bond and make your friend feelvalued.
Be honest and trustworthy.
Honesty is one of thefoundations of every strong
friendship.
Being honest doesn't mean youhave to share every single
thought that you have, but itdoes mean being genuine and open

(03:19):
with your friend If somethingis bothering you, and open with
your friend If something"you isbothering you.
Talk about it calmly andrespectfully.
Avoid gossiping and keepingsecrets that could hurt your
friendship.
Trustworthiness is just asimportant If your friend shares
something personal with you.
Respect their privacy.
Knowing they can trust youhelps deepen your connection and

(03:43):
shows them that you are someonethat they can rely on.
Celebrate their successes A goodfriend Look wins, no matter how
big or small.
Whether mistakes your friendaced a test, scored a goal or
created an amazing piece of art,letting them know that you're
proud of them shows that you'regenuinely happy for their

(04:05):
success.
Even a quick you know that'samazing.
I'm so happy for you can mean alot.
Celebrating togetherstrengthens your friendship
because it shows that"I'm you'rethere for the highs as well as
the lows.
Genuine support andencouragement builds a positive,
bond that benefits both of you.

(04:28):
Respect their boundaries.
Every friendship is unique andso is every person.
Respecting your friendsboundaries means understanding
and honoring what makes themcomfortable.
For example, some friends mightlove hugs, while others prefer
a high five or just a smile.
Some friends might need a lotof space when they're upset,

(04:50):
while others want to talk aboutit right away.
So paying attention to whatyour friend needs and respecting
their choices helps them feelvalued.
It also avoidsmisunderstandings and keeps your
friendship healthy.
Apologize when you mess up.
Nope, look, nobody's perfectand even the best friends make

(05:11):
mistakes.
Maybe you accidentally saidsomething hurtful, forgot an
important event.
Look, nobody's perfect and eventhe best friends make mistakes.
Maybe you accidentally saidsomething hurtful, forgot an
important event or didn't showup when your friend needed you.
When that happens, a sincereapology can go a long way.
Saying something like I'm sorryfor what I did and I'll try to
do better shows that you careabout your friend friends

(05:33):
feelings and want to make thingsright.
Apologizing doesn't mean you'reweak.
It means you value thefriendship enough to take
responsibility.
Most friends will appreciateyour honesty and willingness to
make amends.
Be there during tough times.
True friendship shines duringchallenging moments when your

(05:55):
friend is going throughsomething hard.
Being there for them can makeall the difference.
You don't have to have all theanswers, just showing up and
offering your support is enough.
Sometimes that might meansitting quietly together,
sending a thoughtful message orhelping them with something
small like running an errand orbringing over a favorite snack.

(06:16):
Being a good friend duringtough times shows your friend
that they can counton you, no matter what.
It's one of the most meaningfulways to strengthen your bond.
Have fun together.
Of course, friendship isn't allserious.
Having fun together is just asimportant as supporting each
other.

(06:36):
Laughing, playing games, goingon adventures or even just
sharing silly memes can createhappy memories that bring you
closer.
The time you spend enjoyingeach other's company helps to
build a strong andiwonderpodcast.
com connection.
And finally, friendship is atwo-way street.
One of the most importantthings to remember is that being

(07:00):
a good friend means giving asmuch as you get.
Pay attention to how yourfriend treats you too.
If they're kind, supportive andrespectful, you're likely to
build a healthy, balancedfriendship.
If the relationship feelsone-sided, it's okay to talk
about how you feel or to take astep back if needed.
Good friendships should leaveboth people feeling valued and

(07:24):
cared for.
Not every friendship will lastforever, and that's okay.
People change and sometimesfriendships naturally drift
apart, and some are rekindledyears later.
Other times you might realizethat a friendship isn't healthy
for you, especially if it makesyou feel ignored, unsupported or
upset.
Letting go of a friendship canbe hard, but it's a natural part

(07:48):
of growing and finding thepeople who truly uplift and
understand you.
When you find those people, youwill know it's worth the effort
to invest.
Remember, even when a friendshipdoesn't work out, you can still
appreciate the good memoriesand the lessons it gave you.

(08:10):
Thanks to Samantha for such animportant question.
Being a better friend isn'tabout being perfect.
It's about caring, listeningand showing up for the people in
your life.
Friendships take effort, butthe rewards are worth it.
And remember, if you have aquestion you're curious about,
submit it on our website,iwonderpodcast.
com, and we might just featureit in our next episode of I

(08:34):
Wonder.
Until next time, stay curiousand keep wondering.
.