Shania Twain said, “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” Friendships with other women are integral to a woman’s well-being. Research has shown that friendships provide many benefits, such as improved quality of life, reduced loneliness, increased self-esteem, and decreased stress. When you Cultivate meaningful friendships with women it takes time and effort. If done right, they will last a lifetime! In this blog post, we will discuss how to cultivate relationships with other women so that each friend meets different needs in your life.
Cultivate Meaningful Friendships with Women
4 Different Meaningful Friendships
Activator Friend
Friends are often described as having four different functions or roles. The first role is the “activator” who encourages you to get moving when you are feeling unmotivated, lethargic, and/or lazy. Your friend might say something like: “Come on! Let’s go do something fun!”
Safety Friend
Another important aspect of your friendships is the “safety” friend. This person is a safe haven for you to express your feelings and thoughts without fear of judgment or criticism. Your “turn-to” girlfriend might say something like: “I’m always here for you, no matter what!”
Emotional Friend
The third function/role that friends play in life is as an outlet where women can share their feelings and thoughts without fear of being judged or criticized for their emotional responses. For example, your “emotional friend” might say something like: “I feel the same way!”
Best Friend
Finally, friends often serve as an inspiration to continue striving in life regardless of how difficult times may be when experiencing grief or heartbreak. Your best friend is likely someone who has been there for you during your lowest moments and vice versa. This is what is meant by the term “soul mate.”
How to Cultivate Meaningful Friendships with Women
So how do you go about cultivating meaningful friendships with other women?
Below are five tips to get started:
Tip #1:
Seek out friends that share your interests.
The best way to cultivate a meaningful friendship is to find someone who shares your interests.
Look for people that walk in the same circles as you. Maybe at your child’s school, playgroup, church, or even at the gym. Look for ladies that share the same interests as you.
Tip #2:
Spend time with friends face-to-face.
In our modern society, new technologies have emerged that help us stay connected with friends and family from all over the world. However, it is important to remember that real-life interactions are still a necessity in order to cultivate meaningful friendships. Make an effort to meet up face-to-face at least once per month so you can share updates about your lives, catch up on each other’s news, and enjoy some laughs.
Tip #3:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
We all have those days where we feel overwhelmed and don’t know how to cope. This is why it is important to have friends who are willing and able to provide emotional support when needed. When you are feeling down, don’t be afraid to ask your friends for help. They will likely be more than happy to offer a listening ear and words of encouragement.
Tip #4:
Cultivate meaningful friendships with women who have different backgrounds and experiences than you do.
One of the benefits of having female friendships is that you can learn from each other’s different backgrounds and experiences. This is a great way to gain new insights and perspectives that you might not have otherwise. Seek out friends who are of different ages, races, religions, etc. so you can widen your horizons and learn more about the world around you.
Gregg and I have started meeting with a couple once a month that is 30 years older than us. I am absolutely cherishing the friendship that I am building with the lady. She is so wise, kind and gives such amazing insight into life. I feel like I can talk with her about anything and she would listen and have experiences to share.
Tip #5:
Give as much as you receive.
A hallmark of a healthy friendship is when both parties are able to give and receive equally. This means that if you need something from your friend, you should be willing to offer her something in return. For example, if she needs someone to listen to her problems, be sure to lend an ear and provide feedback where appropriate. If she needs help moving to a new apartment, offer your assistance so she doesn’t have to do it alone. Cultivating selfless friendships is all about balance!
So what are some of the benefits when you cultivate meaningful friendships with women?
There are many benefits to having friendships, such as:
– Having someone to rely on for emotional support during difficult times.
– Gaining new insights and perspectives from friends who have different backgrounds/experiences than you do.
– Having someone to share your interests and hobbies with.
– Having someone to laugh and have fun with.
– Feeling supported and loved by the women in your life.
Cultivating meaningful friendships with women is one of the life-long relationships that are worth investing in. Hopefully, this article helped you cultivate lasting, fulfilling connections with your girlfriends.
What are some of the benefits you’ve experienced from having female friendships? Leave a comment below!
Have you read, 5 Friends Every Woman Should Have?
