Friendship and Relationships: One Is Just As Important as the Other

There are people out there who believe that in the battle of friendship vs. love, friendship will always win out. They prioritize friendships over seeking out relationships with a significant other, with their friends at the center of their universe over a romantic partner.

We won’t go that far, as there can be room for both. Friendship and relationships don’t have to be at odds with one another. But for a good balance in your life, it’s important to consider one relationship just as important as the other. 

So why are friendships just as important as a relationship with a romantic partner? Are there ways in which friendship is better than love? Let’s take a look at a few different ways a close friendship is the best relationship.

You’re More Likely to Be Yourself

It can take some time for people to really be themselves in a romantic relationship. You’re worried about judgement or allowing that person to see your true self before you’re really ready. Maybe you think you’ll scare them away if you’re too real, too soon, even too silly or too corny or too serious.

It’s usually different with friendships. If you’ve put in the work to find quality friends that share common interests with you and are of the trustworthy sort, you should feel pretty confident about being yourself around them without any attached pretensions. They like who you are, and vice versa. They like you when you’re silly and when you’re sad, and they know you’ll support them across the spectrum of emotions, too. A friend can also be that sounding board for you as you navigate a new romantic relationship, giving you advice about when you should finally let those walls down with a potential partner. They should be there for whatever you need.

Friends Can Be Soul Mates, Too

Having a close friend that you can share anything, without any fear of judgment for sharing even the most difficult things, is powerful stuff. Connecting with a friend on a deeper level and finding a friendship that will last beyond the latest trend you’re into or the hobby you’ve picked up is a key component to positive personal growth.

It isn’t only romantic partners that can be your soul mates in life. Your best friends should be loyal and generous with their time, and a safe place for you to go to when you’re feeling lost. 

Good Friends Help You Learn More About Yourself

Depending on the level of brutal honesty in your romantic relationship, you may not always be getting the full picture from your partner about their preferences or real feelings on an issue. Just as you worry about saying the wrong thing, they may be in the same boat when thinking about the right words to get their point across. 

It’s typically different with a good friend. A really good friend will call you out – in the most productive way possible, of course – when you’re being rude, flat-out wrong or just not being yourself. They can tell when something is wrong, too, urging you to talk it out or checking in until you’re ready to share what’s bothering you. There is more room for forgiveness there, whether you’re able to be more authentic with a friend or share a longer history.

They Give You Perspective

Romantic relationships can put couples in a bubble, particularly when their belief systems and opinions are similar across the board. With friendships, it can be easier to listen to different perspectives, particularly if they differ from your own.

There isn’t as much pressure to agree with everything that your friend is saying, as you likely cultivated those friendships with those differences in mind. Relying on one perspective from a romantic partner can lead to some limits on your own ability to grow and value different perspectives.

Friendships Make You a Better Partner

You don’t need to do everything with a romantic partner. You and your partner can have divergent interests and still be successful as a couple. That’s where friends can come in and participate in those things you like to do that perhaps your partner isn’t interested in. It’ll make you happier in your romantic relationship as you’re not having to give up those activities you enjoy doing, and it’ll make your partner happy, too. They likely have a few interests you’re not all that interested in, too.

There’s also that old adage about absence making the heart grow fonder. A little distance, whether it’s an evening out with a friend or even a trip with your best pals, shouldn’t harm a strong romantic relationship. It should display a level of comfort between the two of you, that you both can do your own thing from time to time while strengthening your friend relationships at the same time.

Friends are important. Make it easier to find friends that not only fit your interest areas but are serious about developing positive, long-lasting friend relationships. Friender can help out with that. Download the app today!