As you mature into adulthood, friendships and relationships grow more complicated and stressful. It's almost like an additional job to be there for others. But it's not (a job, that is). Having friends is not what you do to make sure your bills are paid (although—how fun would that to be a professional friend?!). Having friends is about meeting your emotional needs.

Keeping a friendship alive means checking in and wondering what news they have this week. The best kind of friendships encourage you to go for that job interview or call that cute guy back. They also can give you advice that borders on heavy criticism in the hopes that you become a stronger person.

Now that I'm graduated and officially an adult, I'm ashamed to say that I've put my friends on the side for my job. I don't mean to make my friends feel like they are less than what I do. In fact, that is not it whatsoever. They mean the world to me. But when I don't have the control of my schedule or my job demands are high, they are the first thing to be affected. I try to reach out. But their schedules and job demands affect them too; sometimes, a text goes unanswered for weeks.

Adult friendships are hard to keep and maintain but when you have these five tips in your mind, you will realize that your friendships will be worth all the effort.

Remember that perfection in a friendship doesn't exist. You are bound to make mistakes and screw things up more than once. It's how you show your friend that you care about them despite it. The connection is more important than the mistake. If you mess something up, show them that you care with a handwritten, silly note or arrive at their door with their favorite candy. Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you need to sacrifice your friends for work. Everything is about balance, after all.