In Honor of International Friendship Day

International Friendship Day was first proclaimed by the U.S. Congress in 1935.

Wikipedia, Creative Commons, Yashwanth R.

The word “friendship” extends beyond the relationships with someone you spend time with, count and confide in. 

Its scope is more lofty: In 2011, the U.N. General Assembly stated that “friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.”

This year, Friendship Day falls on Sunday, July 30, 2023. 

Good friendships are always worth noting and celebrating. Friends bring us joy and support, but just as importantly, they are good for our health. Research finds that people who have strong friendships are more satisfied with their lives. They’re also less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. 

After weathering a brutal and long pandemic, friendship, social support, connecting, and bridge-building feel more important than ever. Don’t you think?

International Friendship Day is not widely commercialized like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, and other holidays. No one expects gifts, cards, or flowers. 

But it is always nice to acknowledge and tell the special people in your life how much they mean to you. You may also want to take the time to reflect on your friendships and whether or not they bring you joy or bring you down, and seize the opportunity to realign your friendship priorities. 

Here are seven ways to celebrate the cherished  friends in your life: 

1)  Say it in words

Call or write your friend a card, note or email telling the person just how much the friendship means to you.

2)  Remind your friend visually

Email, text, or send a photo of a wonderful time you had together in the past and tell the person how happy it makes you feel that you’re still friends after all those years.

3)  Give the gift of time

Instead of continually saying, “We have to get together,” make concrete plans. Get out your electronic calendar or datebook and set a time when you can spend quality time together—even if it’s just over a cup of coffee.

4)  Plan a getaway or trip

Perhaps you’ve both been busy and haven’t seen each other for a while. Your lives have diverged, yet you still feel like you’re kindred spirits. Make a relaxed spa date or commit to a weekend when you have uninterrupted time to create new memories.

5)  Weave your friend into the fabric of your life

If your friend is single and you’re married with children, invite the person to join one or more of your family traditions. If you think your friend might enjoy the company of another close friend of yours, introduce them to each other. Introduce your friend to your mother, sister, cousin or daughter.

6)  Create a shared experience

Suggest you both read the same book or watch the same TV series so you can talk about it afterward. It can be a great springboard for discussing feelings and values.

7)  Assess your friendships

If something has recently gotten in the way of one or more friendships, and you believe you may have been at fault, don’t be too big to apologize. Get together and let your friend know you feel bad about what you said or did and want to strengthen your ties.

Happy Friendship Day,
Irene
The Friendship Doctor

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Friendship Rule

Good friendships are worth celebrating and acknowledging.