Cheering Up Friends: Life, Advice and Rants

I don't know about you but I cannot stand to see my nearest and dearest upset, angry or usually quite. When you see them like that its like a piece of you hurts with them and whatever you try and do doesn't seem to work. Its hard cheering up the friends you love, it is like convincing the sun of its own warmth. Here are some of my tips to let them know you will always try to make it better.

1.Empathize not sympathize

Sympathy is about feeling sorry for someone, rather than feeling their pain with them. You want to feel what they are feeling and let them know that you're engaging in their pain with them. It creates an understanding and makes them feel like they are not going through this pain alone, you will always be right beside them.

2. Don't make it about you

This goes with the point above. There is a difference between relating to their problems as a method of helping them not feel alone and turning the whole issue about you. It is a easy yet costly mistake to make. Ask open-ending questions instead of jumping in with your feelings, experiences and perceptions.

3. Listen to them

Take care and attention to everything they tell you and make sure they know it matters to you. Active listening especially shows you care about them and that they are being heard. More often than not, knowing someone takes time to listen to their thoughts and feelings is the biggest gesture. 

4. Make them laugh
I always find laughter to be the best medicine. Try to reminisce about funny memories shared together or embarrassing stories about yourself. It is also a distraction technique, focusing their attention on the past times you and their other friends have shared together that makes an inseparable bond that keeps your happy. 

5. Be optimistic
Show them there can be a silver lining to their situation even if they cant see it for themselves. Being optimistic is a mindset and can be infectious when used right. For example if your friend doesn't have confidence in there own self then show them that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, this is what makes us unique and beautiful. Make sure they know you will always love them for who they are.

We all have friends that mean the world to us, whether its many or a select few. They are in our lives for what we all hope is the majority of it therefore we must strive for their total happiness. For me, my friends are one of the best things in my life and I would always do whatever I can to make their lives the best they can be. Friends show their love in times of trouble, not happiness. The one piece of advice I hope you gather from this is that the best way to cheer up a friend is for them to know that they make your world a better place.