YES, IT'S POSSIBLE: THIS IS HOW YOU BECOME THE BEST FRIEND EVER
In elementary school, everything was so damn easy. Your friends hung around you in groups on the playground, and you had time in abundance. Nowadays, it's, um, all complicated.
“Hey babe, how's it going? I'm in a hurry, but I'll call you soon, okay? Are we really going to grab a coffee?” Then you don't speak to each other for months, until you have another awkward conversation in the Albert Heijn about how you are REALLY going to call. I'm quite ashamed of this because some friends are so incredibly fun and sweet, I just want to make time for them again. Yup, I'm done with the chronic lack of time: it's time for action. Recognizable situation? Then this step-by-step plan is made just for you (and me). Here it comes:
Step 1: Earbuds in and just call
’In the morning in the car, on the bike, or on the tram to work: travel time is the most USELESS time that exists, and let's face it: your day starts best with a little tête-à-tête with a friend?
Step 2: Do something nice, even if it's small
Recently, I received a heart card from a friend I hadn't seen in a while. Inside the text: “Just because you are a beautiful person and because I miss you.” Oh my, I could cry. So cool. That really makes an impression.
Step 3: Encourage her success
Does she have an important job interview coming up? It takes you three seconds to send her a message with an encouraging: Go get them, tiger!
Step 4: Know what's going on
At this point, I sometimes still drop the ball. But asking how doctor's appointments/exams/difficult conversations with the ex/parties/whatever went is really the key to an okay friendship. Keep asking. Always.
Step 5: Collaborate
Tip from May: offer your friend a job. Always works because then you see each other often. Okay, not everyone is in that position, but there are enough projects that you can tackle together. Renting a booth for King's Day, for example, or starting a blog.
Step 6: Exercise together/hang out on the couch/chat during your favorite series
Of course, you can do all those things alone. But life is a party when you're together, so why the hell not? Messages like: “Look!!! switch over to Net5 right now. I’m seriously dying over that outfit!” make me so cheerful.
Step 7: Just make fucking time for those cocktails
Get the calendar out, pick a date, and go with that banana. No cancellations.
Written by Kiki Düren
