Making friends can call for a lot of courage!
In putting yourself out there, connecting with others, you're saying, "I like you...do you like me? This is me, do you accept or reject me?" It's so much vulnerability!
In friendship, you're investing in another person. Will it be worth it? The closer you get to someone, the bigger the risk of pain if something goes wrong in the relationship. It takes courage to keep growing closer.
In friendship, we let others know us, and that can feel exposing. Am I giving another person power to hurt me by revealing myself?
Some strategies for making friends:
Be available, create opportunities
Be intentional
Start conversations, be curious, use FORD (family, occupation, recreation, dreams)
Be a good listener, be interested
Seek commonalities (interests, values, etc)
Be reliable, trustworthy,
Be a safe place
Be vulnerable
Ultimately be the kind of friend you want - check in with yourself
We make it so personal when others don’t immediately see the amazing friendship potential, but a lot of times it’s not about us (we're sure it sometimes is, but it’s often not) - life is busy, people aren’t in the same place of prioritizing a new friendship, they might have the same comfort level.
Takeaway: Making, having, and being a friend requires courage! But it’s worth it to get that deep connection and support.
Action step: Are you in need of a friend? Take steps to make yourself available and identify who you might take the next step with. Need more depth in your existing friendships? What is one step you can do to move the needle?
Need even more encouragement? Get 14 Days of Courage at www.thecostiscourage.com
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