YES, YOU CAN: HOW TO BECOME THE ULTIMATE BEST FRIEND

It was all so darn easy back in lower school. You and your friends were always attached at the hip and had a ton of time to kill. Nowadays it’s all, well… Complicated.

“Hey babe, how’ve you been? I’m in a rush but I’ll call you soon, okay? We just HAVE to get together soon and grab some coffee.” And then you don’t speak to each other for another couple of months, until you bump into each other at the grocery store and promise to call them for real this time. I’m kind of ashamed of this bad habit, because some friends are really sweet and loads of fun. It’s something I actually WANT to make time for. So what I’m trying to say is that I’m done with procrastinating: it’s time to take action. Sound familiar? Then these following steps were made for you.

Stap 1: plug in your headset and give them a call

Whether you’re in the car, on a bike or on the train; traveling blows but there is one thing that makes it better; why not kill the time and do something useful? Like calling your friend. Win-win, if you ask me.

Stap 2: Do something sweet, even if it’s just a small gesture

The other day I found a postcard in my mailbox covered in hearts. It was from a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. On the backside it said: Because you’re a beautiful person and I miss you.” Seriously, you could almost mop me off the floor because I was on the verge of tears. The good kind of tears. It’s the small gestures which really melt the heart.

Stap 3: encourage her success 

Does she have a job interview coming up? It only takes three seconds to send an encouraging “Go get ‘em, tiger!” text.

Stap 4: be in the loop

I still have a thing or two to learn when it comes to this. But asking her how her doctors’ appointment/date/exam/tough convo with an ex went is the key to a healthy friendship. Stay in the loop. Always.

Stap 5: work together 

A little tip from May-Britt: offer your friend a job. It always works, because you get to see each other often. Not everyone has this option, but there are always projects the two of you can take on together. Like organizing a garage sale or perhaps even starting a blog together.

Stap 6: work out together/be couch potatoes/text during your favorite show

All of the above are things you can easily do alone, but why not do them with someone. Double the fun right? Texts like: “Keeks!! Turn on HBO right now! Just LOOK at that outfit, I’m seriously dying,” really get me going.

Stap 7: just make some goddamn time for cocktails

Compare your schedules, pick a date and mark it down. Canceling is not an option.

Written by Kiki Düren