What Are the Stages of Friendship?
Regardless of whether we think they are good or bad, people have to make friends at some point in their lives. The good news is that friendships are a key part of a person’s well-being and are often associated with positive effects on emotional, social, and physical health.
A friend is someone who can be there for us when we need them most, someone to laugh with, or just listen to our story. A good friend will stand by us through thick and thin, and answer our questions with empathy, perspective, and honesty.
The stages of friendship
All friends start out as acquaintances, which are defined by occasional interactions that lead to a general knowledge of each other. These include knowing a person’s name, major, or where they work. They might also know a little about their hobbies or activities, but this isn’t enough to know much about each other in depth.
Acquaintances usually stay this way until something – a random meeting, a planned one, or even a mutual friend introducing you – brings them to the next level. Once they move on to the next stage, the relationship can become more intense or it may fall apart.
Peer friend
The second stage of friendship is the peer friend. This is when you are able to interact with someone at a higher level of business and in a different department from yourself. They can share information and experiences with you that will help you grow professionally.
This is when you have a deeper level of communication with this person, and they can show you how to be more successful in your career or at school. They might also be a mentor to you.
Mentors can be a great source of support and wisdom when you are going through a hard time. They can also give you advice on how to overcome your problems and come out the other side stronger.
Close Friend
The close friend is someone you can trust completely and be totally honest with. They are the ones you let enter past the drawbridge that is between your inner city and your outer circle – you have trusted them to keep you safe and won’t burn down your city or harm your citizens figuratively speaking.
They can be a source of strength when you are struggling and will always be there to lend their perspective and encouragement.
A close friend is someone who can be your shoulder to cry on and who will never judge you or try to make you feel inferior.
Developing an intimate relationship with a close friend can take time and work. But once you’re on the same wavelength, you can communicate with your friend about how you are feeling and build an intimate bond that will last a lifetime.
Ultimately, the level of intimacy you have with a close friend will determine the extent of your friendship. A close friendship can develop into an intimate friendship by being vulnerable, communicating openly, and showing a willingness to be there for each other.
