Time can sometimes seem like an unanswerable question.
A child grows up, and the world is laid out before them, full of potential.
How much time does a person have to do all that needs to be done? How much time do they need to pursue every dream they have?
One of the questions a person asks himself is, “When do I have enough time to spend on things that are important to me?”
This can lead to the same question with friends: “When do I have time for my friends?”
Friendships are important
The answer to the question, “When do I have enough time to spend on things that are important to me?” involves different things for different people.
For some people, it may include having a full-time job, being active in a couple of activities at school, or doing another chore, such as folding laundry.
But some people have so many activities to juggle that it is hard for them to find time to devote to one person.
And also, some people feel that their friendships may interfere with their own goal to get everything else done.
In some cases, relationships with friends can feel like time stealers. But that is a choice a person makes.
All relationships have their pros and cons.
Friends come in all shapes and sizes
Whether we spend time with friends, family, or coworkers, the value of friends is fundamental.
There are many reasons to spend time with friends. Here are a few.
Friendships can improve mental health
Being social can improve a person’s quality of life.
Research indicates that it is good for people to interact with others, such as hanging out with a group of friends.
However, this is not just about simply spending time with others.
Positive social interactions can also have long-term benefits for people’s health, such as reducing stress levels.
Friends are like coaches
With the rise of social media, many people spend less time with friends, but rather use their devices to seek entertainment.
A recent study suggests that friends provide people with a necessary support system that helps them overcome the feeling of loneliness.
Friends can be a source of knowledge and support
One of the major benefits of having a group of friends is that it can be a source of knowledge and support.
Being surrounded by people who have similar interests, lifestyles, and values can provide a sense of belonging and a better understanding of who you are.
A better understanding of who you are is an important aspect of emotional intelligence or EQ.
EQ can have a huge impact on how people respond to life’s difficulties.
Making friends
Making friends as a child is a challenging process.
Children are often different from one another in many ways. But being part of a group helps in a big way.
After we have learned the basics of how to make friends and become comfortable being around other people, we can think about making and maintaining more social relationships.
Choosing to interact with a friend is an important decision.
Social skills
With time, most children can make friends and relate to people positively.
One key factor that helps is having social skills, such as the ability to listen, express interest, and talk.
As a person becomes more social and learns to relate to others, the amount of time spent with friends will decrease.
Still, making friends continues throughout life, and it is important to make friends when young.
Although children are naturally more social than adults, many adults are still shy in group settings.
Shy adults may not be able to form new friendships, but they can gain social skills by being more social when they are around friends and family.
It is possible to maintain friendships
The fact is that while a person may stop spending time with their friends because of a busy schedule, it does not mean they should forget about their friendships.
The key is to make sure that the friendship is valued, and continues to have a positive impact on the individual.
Loving relationships
Even if a person feels like there is little value in making time for friends, they should still value the relationships they do have.
In fact, loving relationships are more than just friendships.
Social media
As people interact more through social media, relationships with friends will always be important, regardless of how people spend their time.
Friends of friends
Social media has made it easy to form social relationships, but the same potential to create social relationships is now available through friends of friends.
By knowing people through social media, you can make new friends and link up with old friends.
The key is to use social media to form friendships and make them last longer.
Friends from home
While social media can be a great tool to make friends, it is also important to maintain friendships with friends from home.
It is useful to see friends from home during the holidays and for short trips, especially if you live far away.
The benefit is that you can talk to them whenever you want and see how they are doing.
