Alexandra Plesa
Quality people aren’t easy to come by.
You know the type.
They are only one phone call away. They help you move, even if they’re older than 30. They don’t look down on you or judge your poor choices.
Most importantly, they don’t talk about you behind your back.
Here are 9 signs that someone in your life is genuinely loyal to you.
If you’ve found one of these rare human treasures, hold on tight.
1) They are by your side in good times and bad
Loyal people show up and are actively present in your life.
They support you not just during triumphs but also in times of adversity.
It’s easy to find friends to surround yourself with when you’re successful.
Everyone is suddenly eager to hang out – if only to bask in your glory.
The people who matter, however, are those who stick by you when your luck runs out.
Who lend you money when you go broke, bail you out of jail, sign you into rehab, help you bury a body in the woods.
(That got dark, sorry!)
Do you have someone like that in your life?
If the answer is yes, cherish them forever.
2) They tell you the truth, even if it stings
I have a small circle of close friends. Okay, I have two.
But I know that these two friends are very unlikely to stab me in the back or lie to my face.
We’ve known each other for ages, and we’ve seen each other at our worst.
Dumb choices, bad break-ups, heart-wrenching deaths, loud fights, too much booze, too little food, excessive stress, you name it.
There’s no use in lying anymore.
If I say something stupid, they call me out. If I do something stupid, they mock me mercilessly.
They don’t tell me a dress looks good on me when it obviously doesn’t, they speak up about their concerns, and they have no qualms about venturing an opposing opinion.
Genuine loyalty goes hand-in-hand with honest communication.
While superficial friends may lie to spare your feelings, those loyal to you will open your eyes to the truth.
Even when that truth hurts you or makes you uncomfortable.
3) They share your values
It goes against nature to be loyal to someone who is your polar opposite.
Following this logic, it makes sense that those who decide to orbit you through thick and thin share your values and have a similar moral compass.
In other words, you can seem as different as night and day at first sight, but you match up when it comes to core beliefs.
If you value integrity, they value integrity.
If you think the world is out to get you, they probably have little faith in society, too.
You get the idea.
4) They keep their mouths shut
As trust is the foundation of loyalty, someone who is loyal is inherently trustworthy.
They are the ones who keep your confidence and never talk about you behind your back.
If you tell them a secret, they take it to the grave.
You don’t have to worry about them sharing your darkest thoughts with others.
They would never do that.
5) They take your side in public
If someone defends you when you’re not around, they are genuinely loyal to you.
They stand up for you and defend your character, reputation, and honor.
I have a cousin who is loud and gutsy and basically everything that I am not.
When I was in middle school, she wasn’t what I would call my favorite person in the world.
We didn’t have much in common, and I didn’t think she liked me either.
Until one summer when I found out that she got into a screaming match with a guy we both knew because he mocked me.
I asked her why she did it since we weren’t particularly close.
She replied that we’re family. That’s just what you do.
I was flabbergasted.
Nowadays, we’re still fairly different, but we get along well.
Turns out, we share a few core values.
6) They celebrate your success
Did you ever have a friend who secretly wanted you to fail?
The kind that keeps you around solely to boost their ego.
These so-called friends subtly undermine your successes and downplay your achievements, usually because of their own deep-seated insecurities.
They need to feel superior, so they can’t stand it when you’re the one who is celebrated or does something right.
I remember a former high school friend who was extremely pretty and, thus, used to getting all the male attention whenever we went out.
If a boy would focus his gaze on me or try to approach me for a change, she would scoff and act like the guy is an absolute loser.
She also discouraged me from engaging with him because he was “not worth the effort.”
Fun times!
People loyal to you take pride in your achievements and celebrate them.
They never stop rooting for you to succeed.
7) They want you to grow
Speaking of succeeding, genuinely loyal people want you to aim for more.
They’re your biggest cheerleaders, and their encouragement goes beyond mere words.
It’s an authentic expression of their belief in your abilities.
These individuals inspire you to set ambitious goals, pursue your passions, and overcome setbacks.
Knowing that you can count on them only boosts your confidence and strengthens your bond.
8) They forgive
Loyalty includes the capacity to forgive.
Everyone makes mistakes or drops the ball occasionally.
When you cross a loyal friend, they might be upset for a while. But, as long as you apologize and make amends, they forgive you.
They deliberately choose to prioritize your connection and shared history over a momentary lapse in judgment on your part.
In their eyes, loyalty trumps childish grudges.
9) They are consistent
Finally, one of the most telling signs of genuine loyalty is consistency.
Loyalty isn’t fleeting.
Rather, it’s a commitment that endures through various life stages, challenges, and experiences.
A person who is loyal to you is also dependable, which makes your relationship incredibly valuable.
When people are sure they can rely on each other, unnecessary drama and uncertainty go out the window.
You’re left with a stable, fulfilling connection that stands the test of time.
Bottom line
If you have someone like this in your life, consider yourself lucky.
Whether we’re talking partner, friend, or relative, you hit the jackpot.
Keep nurturing the relationship.
Even when you’re busy.
Even when you’re not in the mood.
Even when you’re dazzled by someone new.
Loyal people are worth the effort.
And they already proved that they deserve your time.
