What Healthy Friendship Really Looks Like | International Day of Friendship
What Should Friendship Really Feel Like? A Reflection for International Day of Friendship
Friendship is one of the most important—and often most overlooked—parts of mental health.
In a world that praises romantic love, celebrates parenting, and glorifies independence, friendship is the quiet relationship that holds so much of our emotional life together.
But not all friendships are healthy.
Some drain you.
Some leave you questioning your worth.
Some become one-sided or transactional without you even realizing it.
So today, on International Day of Friendship, let’s pause and ask: What should real friendship feel like?
Signs of a Healthy Friendship
💛 Non-Judgmental Support
A true friend allows you to be fully human.
You can share your wins and your mess without fear of being judged, shamed, or dismissed. You’re not “too much” or “not enough”—you’re just you.
💛 Balanced Give and Take
Healthy friendships don’t keep score, but they also don’t leave one person doing all the emotional labor.
Some seasons you may give more, some you may receive more—but the overall tone is mutual care, not quiet resentment.
💛 Honest, Compassionate Communication
Real friends can have hard conversations.
They can apologize.
They can hold space for your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
💛 Room for Growth
A good friendship grows with you.
It respects your boundaries, celebrates your changes, and doesn’t guilt you into staying stuck just because “that’s how it’s always been.”
💛 Shared Joy
Friendship isn’t just about support during hard times. It’s about laughter, lightness, inside jokes, and shared experiences that make life richer.
Why Friendship Matters for Mental Health
Isolation can be a silent stressor.
Loneliness impacts both your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Healthy friendships can:
Lower your stress
Help regulate your nervous system
Provide perspective when life feels heavy
Remind you of your worth when you forget it yourself
A Gentle Check-In: How Are Your Friendships?
Take a moment today to reflect:
Who in your life makes you feel safe, seen, and supported?
Are there friendships that leave you drained instead of nourished?
Have you been tending to your friendships—or just surviving day to day?
If friendship has felt complicated for you, you’re not alone. Many adults carry old wounds from past friendships, betrayals, or toxic dynamics. Healing that is possible, too.
Let’s Normalize Healthy Friendships
Friendship is not about perfection.
It’s about kindness, mutual care, and shared humanity.
So today, reach out to a friend you trust.
Send a message. Share a laugh. Say thank you.
And if you’re ready to build healthier relationships—including with yourself—I’m here to help.
💛 Schedule a consult today → https://www.unbridledlkn.com/letschat