In my life I have had a lot of friendships come and go, but also friendships that have stood the test of time, and distance!
I have lived in 3 different Countries and I am so thankful for the friends I have met. Some, I can see God blessed me with for a particular season, or time in my life. Others are friends that I know will always be in my life, even if we don’t talk for months. I came up with a list of the 10 friends every woman should have that I want to share with you.
However, as I grow older, I realize that some friends are special for the unique role that they play in my life. It got me thinking about the types of friends I have and how they beautifully provide different strengths, perspectives and support into my life.
You may not have friends that tick every box, and there will be friends that tick more than one. However, realizing the unique value they bring into your life will be a beautiful reminder of how God provides for you, and blesses you in ways that you may not have realized.
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Here are the ten types of friendships that I believe have been valuable in my life:
1. The Cheerleader
This friend is your biggest supporter, always encouraging you and boosting your confidence. Usually the first person you call when you have achieved a small or significant goal. The person that ticks this box doesn’t necessarily have to be a peer. It could be a significant other, parent, or grandparent! When my twin sister and I got our drivers license the first place we drove was to our grandparents! We knew they would celebrate with us! Definitely one of the 10 friends every woman should have!
2. The Honest Critic
She tells you the truth, even when it’s hard to hear. Her honesty helps you grow and make better decisions. We all need one of these friends. If we only have friends who don’t remind us of our potential and push us to be better we won’t grow. For me my childhood best friend, sister and husband all tick this box for me. Do I always love their honestly? No. But I have learnt to embrace it and grow from their honesty as I trust them and know they are saying it because they love me.
3. The Compassionate One
A compassionate and empathetic friend who listens without judgment and offers a shoulder to cry on. This friend is one to be treasured. You feel safe with them and they are the one you run to because you know they will comfort you and you trust them to be there for you in your pain or struggle.
4. The 9-5 Friend
This person usually changes the most depending on the different seasons you go through. They either work with you or have similar habits, goals, preferences or hobbies. The person to call when you need someone who understands the difficulty of your job, challenges in a shared hobby or someone you can jump ideas around with for your next business goals or financial steps. These friends have been some of my favourite gifts in certain times of my life. They usually only last for 2-3 years, but they have been someone who you can relate with in that season of life. I have had these through school, University, at particular jobs, or sport groups. Because your friendship is usually based on a life experience the friendship doesn’t always last longer after a transition, but that’s OK and very normal.
5. The Mentor
An experienced friend who offers guidance and wisdom, helping you navigate challenges and achieve your goals. Preferably this person is living a life that inspires you and is willing to invest time into your growth. I believe everyone should have a mentor and be a mentor. Someone who you allow to speak into your life and give advice and makes space for you to grow. If you don’t have a friend who ticks this box, let this be your encouragement today, ask God to lead you to the right person.
6. The Fun One
Always up for a good time, this friend knows how to make you laugh and ensures you never take life too seriously. But also pushes you out of your comfort zone. This friend is very important! They help you to see the fun side of life and get you laughing through the mundane. They’re just the best! Such a good one to be in the 10 friends every woman should have list!
7. The Dependable One
The practical friend who you can call in the middle of the night who will be there for you no matter what. They’ll pick you up if your car breaks down, they’ll do a night time airport run. They also often think of things others don’t, like starting a meal train after an accident or loss. Sometimes this friend blends into other categories, but it’s lovely to have a friend that you know would do anything, and will always be there for you.
8. The Organizer
Dependable and practical, she helps you stay organized, plan events, and manage life’s logistics. Got a baby shower coming up? A holiday? A birthday dinner? This gal pal is the one to call that will help make it stress free, organized and fun! I have had many seasons without a friend in this category and that’s fine. However, when you do have one you realize how nice it is to have!
9. The Spiritual One
She provides spiritual or emotional support, always reminding you of the Truth of who God is in your life, helping you stay grounded and encouraging you in your faith. Somewhat different from a mentor, as the spiritual one is someone who always reminds you of God’s goodness. They pray with you, encourage you and encourage you in the Lord.
10. The Childhood Friend
She knows your history, understands where you come from, and shares a bond that time and distance can’t break. This is one of my favorite friendships. They stand the test of time, all your changes and know you better than most friends ever will. They saw you at every stage and loved you through it all. If you have a childhood friend that you can rekindle a relationship with I say go for it! My best friend and I lost touch for about 6 years while she had babies and I was in a different Country. But when things slowed down for both of us we were able to prioritize each other again even though we live in different countries and it’s been the best! If you don’t have a friend from childhood, it’s ok. This friendship also represents a friend of longevity. Even if you made this friend at the age of 40 until you were around 70, that is a 30 year long friendship which most people never get to experience.
Having a well-rounded circle of friends like this can provide a rich and supportive network, helping you navigate life’s ups and downs with a variety of perspectives and strengths. That wraps up the 10 friends every woman should have list!
It’s also fun to work out which category you are in for your friends. If you become aware of what role you might be filling, you can make an extra effort to be the best you can!
If you liked this post, you might also like:
– ‘How to navigate friends that let you down‘
-‘10 Summer date ideas to get out and about‘
-‘What no-one tells you about mixed-race marriages‘
Thank you!!!
