Being a Better Friend When You're Busy
If you say "I'm so busy!" more than you say how are you or tell me about your day, then you may need some help with keeping your friendships strong. In order to keep friends, you have to nurture them. I’m not saying “baby” people. I’m just saying that you have to keep in touch with them. Especially long distance Friendships. I had the pleasure of catching up with every single one of my best friends in the past month and let me tell you...it is great catching up with people. (S/O to Sarah & Kayla for keeping me around and being friends with me)
But it's more than that. Telling friends you're too busy can get real old, real fast. Everyone has a packed life these days, and when you tell a friend that you're too busy for them what you're really saying is that they have a low priority in your life. Often friends feel as if you are neglecting them if they need to keep reminding you to get in touch. One way to combat this is to contact your friends before they need to hound you. If necessary, put a note about it on your daily to-do list so you make sure to get it done. I do this! I have days planned in the month to tell people they are appreciated. Why? Because it is a nice thing to do. I am a busy person, but I also don’t want to lose my friends. So I guess you can say that I do pencil my friends in.
Some people find that these type of quick messages can be much easier first thing in the morning when they start their day, or just before they wrap up to go home at night. I usually do this in the morning. It makes me feel happy to make other people happy. Another option is to reward yourself at the end of a long day by calling up a friend when you get home. Even if you just talk for a few minutes, nothing can energize you like some interaction with your peeeeeps.
If you realize you've been neglecting your friends, tell them you're sorry. Everyone can understand when life gets a little too crazy to keep up with people occasionally, and an acknowledgement that you've had a hard time juggling it all will be welcome.
When you learn to prioritize your schedule to include your friends more often, you'll look forward to getting together and having more balance in your life. It’s pretty great having friends who want you around. All in all, people who want you around will make time for you.
But it's more than that. Telling friends you're too busy can get real old, real fast. Everyone has a packed life these days, and when you tell a friend that you're too busy for them what you're really saying is that they have a low priority in your life. Often friends feel as if you are neglecting them if they need to keep reminding you to get in touch. One way to combat this is to contact your friends before they need to hound you. If necessary, put a note about it on your daily to-do list so you make sure to get it done. I do this! I have days planned in the month to tell people they are appreciated. Why? Because it is a nice thing to do. I am a busy person, but I also don’t want to lose my friends. So I guess you can say that I do pencil my friends in.
Some people find that these type of quick messages can be much easier first thing in the morning when they start their day, or just before they wrap up to go home at night. I usually do this in the morning. It makes me feel happy to make other people happy. Another option is to reward yourself at the end of a long day by calling up a friend when you get home. Even if you just talk for a few minutes, nothing can energize you like some interaction with your peeeeeps.
If you realize you've been neglecting your friends, tell them you're sorry. Everyone can understand when life gets a little too crazy to keep up with people occasionally, and an acknowledgement that you've had a hard time juggling it all will be welcome.
When you learn to prioritize your schedule to include your friends more often, you'll look forward to getting together and having more balance in your life. It’s pretty great having friends who want you around. All in all, people who want you around will make time for you.
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