1. Let friendship develop naturally
If you and your friend played together since childhood, always had fun, shared jokes, and mischievous moments growing up, attending school together, wreaking havoc in class. However, at some point, circumstances may change, like attending different schools, and your lives diverge from the carefree days. It's inevitable that you can't force your friendship to remain the same as it was in childhood.
The expression of friendship changes through stages - childhood friendships manifest differently from those in school, and those, in turn, differ from friendships in college or adulthood. When starting a family, friendships evolve yet again in unique ways. The crucial aspect is that the bond of friendship persists, considering each other as companions. It merely adapts to the present circumstances, environment, and maturity. Don't impose the expectation that your friendship must always adhere to certain standards; instead, let it naturally evolve through different life stages.
For instance, when both of you were single, you might frequently hang out together, but if one gets married, the dynamics might change as they prioritize family time. However, this doesn't diminish the friendship; it's about respecting each other's lives and honoring the essence of that friendship. It doesn't disappear or alter; it grows and matures with you. Let everything unfold as naturally as possible.

2. Mutual Respect
Respect each other's habits and hobbies. What may seem odd or trivial to you could hold special meaning or memories for your friend. So, refrain from criticizing their habits or hobbies, unless it's a negative trait where constructive feedback can help them improve.
Similarly, when it comes to personal secrets, everyone has aspects of their lives they might not want to share. Don't pressure others into revealing everything. Everyone deserves their own space and privacy, so respect each other's private realms!

3. Choose Your Friends Wisely
Our elders weren't wrong when they said, 'Choose your friends wisely.' Opt for friends who are genuinely there for you through thick and thin, sharing both joy and sorrow. Select friends with whom you feel comfortable being yourself, not those who make you exert extra effort to fit in. Choose friends who propel you forward, not those who drag you down or lead you into laziness and endless revelry. Pick friends who resonate with you the most, so you can engage in endless, delightful conversations that never get dull.

4. Show Care and Share
A true friend is someone who always knows how to share both joys and sorrows in life, standing by your side when you feel weak. There are days when it feels like the world has turned its back, but having a friend here with you warms the heart immensely. Finding a genuine friend is indeed a challenge. So, cherish them, care for your friends, pay attention to their habits, hobbies, and thoughts. Share your feelings to better understand each other!

5. No Calculations
As true friends, don't calculate too much. Don't compare why you give more to your friend while they give less. Also, don't engage in friendships solely for personal gains; that's not friendship but rather self-interest. Let's give the best to each other, and you'll receive joy in return. Open your hearts to each other, be generous, and you'll feel incredibly comfortable.

6. Don't Elevate Personal Ego Too High
As friends, we shouldn't nitpick, hold grudges, or harbor resentment toward each other. If there's anything unsatisfactory or dissatisfying between us, let's talk openly and express our feelings. The crucial part is, after having an honest conversation, forgive and overlook each other's mistakes. If you keep harboring anger or resentment inside, it will eventually become unbearable, leading to the breakdown of the friendship.
Don't let your personal ego take precedence; it can kill our friendship. Let's all calm down a bit, compromise a bit to preserve our friendship without cracks.

7. Explore Together Far and Wide
Life is a journey. Let's explore together far and wide, leave footprints of memories on new lands. Waking up in a distant place, marveling at the scenery, having fun, enjoying delicious dishes, and capturing unique photos together... isn't that wonderful, folks? Let's experience together, create memorable imprints for this youth. Go far and return to understand each other better.

8. Invest Quality Time in Each Other
It's wonderful when there's someone who always invests quality time in you, sharing the most beautiful moments together. Cook a delicious meal together, go shopping, have coffee, ride bikes through the streets, or pack your bags and go on an adventure together—these are all exciting experiences. Spend time with friends who truly deserve it!

9. Be a Good Listener
Friends don't just hear what you say; they listen and reflect. They pay attention because of that, so don't monologue when chatting with friends; learn to listen as well.
If you only speak without listening, you'll have very few friends. Listen to the emotions and thoughts of your cherished ones. Being a good listener demonstrates that you are a true friend.

10. Express Gratitude, Apologize
Mistakes happen in friendships, just as they do in other relationships. Learn to apologize when necessary. Apologize and rectify sincerely; surely your close friends won't stay mad at you for too long.
Also, learn to appreciate, express your gratitude from the heart to your friends.

11. Offer Genuine Sincerity to Each Other
In friendships, sincerity is the determining factor for whether a friendship can last long. We may not need to be completely transparent with someone all the time, sharing every secret or always supporting all their decisions; but we can keep a genuine sincerity in the friendship. Simply put, if you value that friend, you stick around, enjoy their company when you feel happy and comfortable, and let it go otherwise.
That sincerity towards ourselves is what matters. Ask yourself, “Is this friend compatible with me?” “Do I truly feel comfortable around them?” A true friend will make us feel at ease without any sense of being one-sided or having to chase after them.

12. Engage in Joint Activities
Friendship is, above all, an exchange. Invite friends to collaborate, share in realizing a plan, no matter how small. This will make your friend feel trusted, and they will be satisfied. Likewise, you'll feel joy because you have the close companionship of your friends.

13. Avoid Always Sharing Complaints and Irritations
Sharing what's happening to you is a good thing; it helps relieve the tensions within you. Friends can be a great support for you. However, don't constantly bring your unhappy matters to your friends, as you'll force others to listen. Sometimes, seeking encouragement and sympathy may make you less appealing to others because you reveal your lack of restraint and confidence.

14. Hope for Many Blessings - Expect Less
In any relationship, we often have the habit of imposing our own expectations on others, and sometimes we ourselves are disappointed because the results are not as expected. Like when we expect a surprise on our birthday from a friend, as we have done for them, but end up feeling let down. Or when we neglect to invite a friend to hang out, thinking it's their turn to invite us back.
The invisible expectations we impose on friends have widened the distance between both. We can express our one-sided feelings through love, support, or gifts, but that doesn't mean we can expect the same in return. There are many reasons they can't respond immediately to those things. They forget birthday gifts, they don't schedule a date for a celebration, but that doesn't mean they don't have feelings for us. Everyone has different thoughts and ways of expressing emotions. They may not give birthday gifts, but they easily bring us a book we've wanted for a long time, a coffee we like, or simply spend hours chatting when we feel down. Instead of imposing heavy expectations on others, choose hope and trust in yourself, in the strong bond of the relationship, turning those beliefs into positive thoughts, into the kindness that builds a lasting friendship.

15. Always Be There for Friends in Need
Friends are there to help each other in times of trouble, to overcome difficulties together, and to remember each other in times of success. True friends are there when you say you don't need them, but they still come, still appear because they understand deep within you that you truly need them. True friends are there when you're facing difficulties; they don't give you money, but they sit down with you to find a way to overcome those challenges. True friends are there when everyone turns their back on you, but that person still believes in you, still stands by you, just because you are their friend.
Everyone has difficult times and needs help from others, sometimes just a visit, an encouraging look, a subtle comment. Always inquire, keep in touch with friends, promptly realize their situation to find the most effective way to help. “A morsel when hungry is equal to a feast when full,” especially when you're lonely, you need us.

16. Embrace Your Friend's True Self
In order to play together for the long run, you must accept everything about each other because you are friends, so there will be no pretense or cover-up of anything. Both of you will always live with each other's true selves, so you should learn to accept your friend's true self rather than forcing them to change according to your preferences.
We play with each other, starting this friendship because we volunteer, we all desire and feel happy when playing together. It's not a relationship where one serves the other; we are equals.

17. Show Empathy Even in Absence
Understand that we can't be with our friends 24/7. Everyone needs personal time or sometimes just wants to be alone. When they don't call us, refuse to meet, or respond to messages slowly, understand that they need some alone time. No matter how close we are, both of us have different lives and responsibilities, so don't be too surprised; respect each other's freedom. Sometimes, time alone is perfect for both to pause, rest, explore oneself, enjoy the solitude, and realize the importance of the friendship.
There are times when you have to spend time with family, a significant other, or some urgent work. And your friends do too. This can cause friendships to be forgotten at times. Inform your friends in advance about your absence, don't let them feel betrayed or lose trust; empathize with them if they forget to notify about their absence.

18. Share Your Thoughts Frequently
This life is so hectic, and besides family, the ones you need to share your feelings with are your friends. Friends will understand your emotions, desires, and provide the most reasonable advice for you.
If there are things that make you ponder, friends at university will be the best troubleshooters for you. After family, they need to be the ones who know about the issues you're facing to solve them together. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts with your friends; that hesitation will only distance your friendship.

19. Always Stay Connected
Normal friends might not communicate for an entire year, but when help is needed, they call or send a flurry of messages. True friends, on the other hand, are different. They always stay connected, always inquire and care about each other's well-being. Even if they don't meet often, they still have a clear understanding of each other's situations.
It's because they consider each other as family, value that friendship, and cherish it. They always want to preserve that friendship, so they stay in touch regularly, exchanging information to know how the other is doing.
Staying in constant communication is a way for them to feel reassured about each other, a way to show their care, and a way for them to always perceive the other as their good friend. Regular communication helps form a good habit, showing concern for each other's lives. It's also a way to keep the bond strong, and that friendship will endure the test of time.

20. Be Positive Energy Sources for Each Other
Subtle competition among friends and the preoccupation with each other's achievements often come with negative feedback. Seeking faults or evaluating wins and losses will lead to breakdowns and a loss of life goals. Instead of engaging in silent confrontation, let's become each other's 'witnesses' in life, witnesses to the best expressions and most exciting experiences of each other.
We listen to their passion, share our concerns about their issues. Friendship transforms into moments of enjoyment and appreciation when both can remind each other of goals, plans in life, and the most wonderful moments of each person.

