Science says: the 7 types of friends everyone needs
The older you get, the more you start to see the value of certain friendships. The saying that some friends literally feel like family is definitely not an understatement. But you will also notice that quite a few people disappear from your life. That can be hard to swallow sometimes, but it does give you extra time for the friendships that do matter, because there are plenty of those. According to the 7 Friends Theory, you need seven real friends in life, each with their own role. The rest is secondary. Curious if you can check off the checklist in your friend group? Below you will find the different types of friends that are essential for a happy life.
The friend you have known since childhood
That person just feels like coming home. You have known them since you could walk, and they know every tiny detail about you. You may not talk to each other daily anymore, but that doesn’t matter at all, because that special bond remains.
The single friend who always wants to do something
Whether it’s Monday night, Sunday afternoon, or one o'clock at night: if you call this person, you can almost be 100 percent sure they will say ’yes‘ to a spontaneous adventure. Often, you don’t even have to tell them what you want to do, because that friend will go along anyway. Even if it’s just to an appointment at the dentist.
The friend you hardly speak to, but nothing changes
Everyone gets their own life and responsibilities, which means you no longer have all the time in the world to grab coffee with every acquaintance weekly and catch up. Some friendships take a backseat, because that’s life. Some fade away, but with this person, it will never change. Even if you don’t speak for a year, it’s still no big deal.
The friend you can literally tell everything to
Sometimes it’s really nice to have someone you can turn to for everything, because you know they would never judge you. That friend knows your deepest secrets, and it’s not even a question of whether they will tell anyone, because he/she would never.
The friend who feels like family
This person comes as a sort of bundle with you. Your whole family knows them and prefers to have them at family birthdays. One small downside to this: you can snap at them as if they were your younger brother or sister, but even then, you are still good friends.
The friend who acts as a love therapist
If anything small happens in your love life, this person is your go-to. Regardless of whether it’s good or bad news, this friend wants to hear it and is more than happy to share their opinion or perspective on it.
The friend who is just a bit older than you
Wisdom comes with age, so it’s nice to have an older friend who can set you straight when it comes to advice. This can be anyone, but also just your older aunt, your grandmother, or your mother. The chances are quite high that they have experienced something similar or know someone who has gone through the same thing as you.
