Adrian Volenik
Having friends is awesome. Having friends you can rely on at all times is even better. But how do you know you have a friend or friends that are loyal and trustworthy no matter what?
Itโs easy. Just look for the following 10 signs!
1) Stands up for you
A loyal friend will defend your honor and support you in all social situations you find yourself in. They wonโt let others disrespect you or speak negatively about you.
This loyalty clearly shows their commitment to your friendship.
For example, if others criticize or question your life choices, a loyal friend will speak up and explain that your decisions are valid and should be respected.
In a perfect world, no one would need to defend your choices or explain them. But here we are.
Or if someone disapproves of your romantic partner or significant other, a loyal friend will express their support for your relationship and stand up against any undue criticism.
2) Available when you need them
Trustworthy friends are there when you need them the most. They offer a helping hand, emotional support, or simply comforting company when youโre going through challenging times.
You can gauge their dedication to your friendship and to you by how available they are when you need them.
Of course, we canโt have unrealistic expectations here. For instance, if your friend has kids and you call them out of the blue, telling them you need to talk because someone looked at you the wrong way at work.
They may not be available in that moment or situation. And you should understand and respect that.
3) Believes your perspective
Loyal friends take the time to understand your point of view, even if they have a different opinion.
Sometimes, theyโll laugh at you. I know my friends have, and I did the same. But that depends on the type of relationship you have with them.
If youโre regularly busting balls, which many male friendships include, then thatโs normal.
However, that doesnโt mean there isnโt mutual respect and love.
4) Theyโre reliable
Friends you can count on keep their promises and commitments. When they say theyโll be there for you or theyโll do something, you can count on them to follow through.
By being reliable, you and them build a sense of security in the friendship.
For example, a reliable friend regularly keeps in touch with you, whether through calls, texts, or social media messages. You can count on them to maintain communication.
Likewise, if they commit to helping you with something, like moving apartments or organizing a birthday party or get-together, they follow through and actually help as promised.
5) Theyโre consistent
A consistent friend is one who shows up in your life regularly, regardless of the circumstances.
They donโt only appear when things are going well but also when youโre down or struggling. This consistency shows they value your friendship regardless of the situation.
I have a good friend who enjoys hiking with me. Every month, he consistently suggests a new hiking trail to explore, and we both make it a point to go on these hikes together.
These activities are the perfect glue that keeps us together.
6) Keeps your secrets
We all have bigger or smaller secrets that we can share only with a friend or two and no one else. Not even our families.
Dedicated friends keep your personal information confidential. They donโt share your secrets, private conversations, or sensitive details with others.
Of course, you need to be the same and not expect a one-sided relationship.
7) Considers your feelings
A faithful friend knows you and is attuned to your emotions. They also consider how their actions might affect you.
That means avoiding behaviors that could hurt or upset you and prioritizing your feelings.
If you have certain triggers due to past experiences, a considerate friend will avoid bringing up topics or situations that could potentially upset you or cause distress.
And if youโre an introvert and need alone time to recharge, a thoughtful friend wonโt take it personally if you decline their invitations occasionally, understanding that you need to be by yourself.
8) Isnโt judgmental
A friend you can trust accepts you for who you are without passing judgment. They embrace your quirks, beliefs, background, or choices. They donโt try to change you to fit their mold but welcome your uniqueness.
This lack of judgment creates an environment where you can be authentic without fear of criticism.
Itโs a safe haven where youโre sheltered from entitled people that think they can dictate how others should feel and act.
And when you make mistakes, a non-judgmental friend doesnโt condemn or hold those mistakes against you. They understand that everyone is human and prone to errors.
They also do the following thing.
9) Apologizes when wrong
Apologizing to others when you do something wrong is a necessary and respectable habit.
Trustworthy friends apologize and admit when theyโre wrong. They donโt gaslight you into thinking that it was actually your fault.
But they readily admit they made a mistake and will try to amend and patch things up between you if needed.
For example, if your friend misunderstood something you said and reacted negatively. After realizing their mistake, they return to you and apologize for jumping to conclusions.
Or if you were going through a tough time, and your friend wasnโt as supportive as they could have been.
They later acknowledge their lack of understanding, apologize for not being there when you needed them, and offer support moving forward.
10) Shares opportunities
And last but not least, if they come across opportunities that align with your interests, a good friend will share them with you without hesitation.
For instance, your friend comes across a job opening at their workplace that matches your skills and interests. They immediately send you the job posting and encourage you to apply.
Theyโll even throw in a good word for you.
I have a great example from my own experience. A dear friend discovered a travel deal that fit my budget and dream destination.
She heard me talking about something similar many times.
She shared the details and suggested we both plan a trip together. Which we did, and it was amazing!
Final thoughts
Well, there you have them – 10 signs of a trusty and loyal friend. I really hope you have one or more people like that around you.
Going through life can be tough, and doing it by yourself even worse.
Many adults have trouble finding friends. If youโre the same, make sure to check out 12 genuine ways to make new friends as an adult and 12 tips to find like-minded people (who understand you).
