They say variety is the spice of life. I believe this is true when it comes to the people you surround yourself with. Throughout my life, I have had both good and bad experiences with friends. Because of these experiences, I have learned that there are certain types of people that come and go, and there are others that are in your life to stay and help mold you as a person. I have come to believe that there are five friends that everyone needs to have by their side — no matter what.
1. The Friend Who Tells You What You Want to Hear
Everyone needs that special person in his/her life who can find a silver lining to everything. This friend sugar coats things, and always knows how to cheer you up. This is the person who always knows how to make you feel good about yourself, and constantly boosts your self-confidence. This may not be the friend you go to when you need solid, blunt advice, but when you’re having a bad day they are the first person you call. After all, who doesn’t love being babied every now and again?
2. The Friend Who Tells You What You Need to Hear
Just as everyone needs a friend to bring out the best in every situation, it is also important to have a friend who tells it like it is. This is the person who tells you that the sweater you just bought isn’t flattering while your other friends tell you that everything you wear looks great. Sometimes, you need this friend to keep you in check and help you make good decisions. They’re the person who tells you that you shouldn’t get back together with that lousy ex that has been calling you up lately. This is the friend who tells you what you need to hear and may sometimes come off as harsh, but they give the best advice. Even if the advice they give you initially makes you feel upset or angry, you’ll always be grateful to them in the long run.
3. The Childhood Friend
Growing up, everyone has that special person that they do everything with. You played together, you got in trouble together, and you grew up together. Over the years, this friend has always been by your side. You’ve had your ups and downs, but no one understands you like they do. You have endless amounts of inside jokes, and they know all your weird quirks. As you get older, your lives may go in different directions, but you know they’ll always be in your life.
4. The Older Friend
Having an older, wiser friend is always necessary. This friend has real life experience and knows exactly what you’re going through because they’ve been there. Chances are they’ve made some mistakes along the way, but this makes them even better at giving advice. This friend keeps you out of trouble because they’re more mature than your younger friends, and they’ve already “sowed their wild oats.” Furthermore, the older friend is always supportive and loyal.
5. The Fun Friend
Sometimes you just need to toss your worries aside and enjoy yourself. This is why having a fun friend is so important. This is the friend who helps you get out of your comfort zone and takes you on adventures. This friend knows that sometimes, people going through a tough time just need a day to forget about their troubles. This friend isn’t nosy and won't pry, but they always keep your best interests at heart.
