21 Powerful Ways to Deepen Intentional Friendships That Last

As we enter our thirties, many of us start to feel the effects of our busy lives and changing priorities. Between work, family, and personal pursuits, it can be challenging to maintain strong, meaningful connections with our closest friends. But as we get older, we realize the value of having a solid support system of intentional friendships that can stand the test of time.

It’s never too late to start deepening those connections, and that’s where this blog comes in. Whether you’re looking to strengthen existing relationships or cultivate new ones, I’ve compiled 21 powerful ways to help you become a more intentional friend.

From practical tips like scheduling regular check-ins and finding shared interests to deeper insights about vulnerability and emotional connections, I’ve got you covered. So, pour yourself a cup of coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing!), grab your notebook, and get ready to dive in. 

Let’s take the first step towards cultivating intentional friendships that will bring joy, support, and a sense of belonging to our lives.

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21 Powerful Ways to Deepen Intentional Friendships That Last 

1. Be present and listen actively. 

It’s a cliche that we’re all too busy to make real friends. However, true friendships are an invaluable source of support and community. 

There are many ways to be present in people’s lives, but the key is to be open to what they’re saying and to really hear them. This is especially important when they’re talking about something difficult, such as a family member or a recent breakup. 

Sometimes, being present and listening can also be as simple as being a safe space.

2. Show genuine interest in their life. 

Deepening intentional relationships takes patience, but the results are worth it. When you deepen a true friendship, you build a lasting connection that can be life-changing.

It’s always a good idea to ask someone how they’re doing before you say anything else. You may not know if they are unhappy or just need some space.

Ultimately, it comes down to asking questions and listening to their answers.

3. Be supportive. 

Intentional friendships are the cornerstone of any relationship. 

You can connect with someone in a meaningful way by being supportive, honest, and genuine. Being supportive means that you are there for that person. You can give them a hug, or just listen to them talk. 

4. Communicate openly and honestly.

When you’re in a friendship, it’s important to understand that it is a two-way street. It’s a partnership, not just a one-way street. 

In order to deepen a friendship, you need to be willing to communicate openly and honestly. Let your friend know what’s going on with you, and don’t be afraid of sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. 

5. Be reliable and keep your promises. 

When you’re trying to build a friendship, it can be difficult to get through the rough patches. 

Sometimes, it’s hard to know when to talk with your friend or when to just be supportive. You should be reliable and keep your promises. Your friend should be able to count on you when they need you. 

Furthermore, when you are reliable and keep your promises, your friend will know that they can trust you. One of the best ways to do this is instead of saying something one day and forgetting it the next….try to keep your promises. 

6. Celebrate milestones and successes. 

Intentional friendships are so powerful because they make you feel happy, fulfilled, and excited. 

To make intentional friendships last, you need to make sure that you celebrate each other’s milestones and successes. You can celebrate these milestones by sending your friend a handwritten postcard or a handwritten note, or a special occasion.

Moreover, if your friend has a goal, you can make it happen by helping them find the time to achieve it.

7. Practice forgiveness. 

In order to have deep and lasting relationships with others, it is important to forgive and let go of grudges. 

When holding on to grudges, we are holding on to negative feelings that we have towards the person we are grudging. However, in order to have a deep and lasting relationship with someone, it is important to forgive each other for mistakes and let go of grudges.

If you practice forgiveness on a daily basis, it will make a huge difference in your relationships.

8. Be patient and understanding. 

If you have a friend who is struggling, it is important that you do not judge them or pressure them to change. It is important that you be patient and understanding. Allow your friend the space and time they need to work through their issues. 

Some ways you might be able to help your friend are by reminding them of what they need to do to be healthy, encouraging them to focus on the good times, and being a positive force in their life.

9. Share new experiences and try new things together. 

Intentional friendships can be hard to maintain. As you and your friends grow, so do your interests and the opportunities that come with them. 

At times, it can be really hard to keep the bond strong. You may find that you both are pursuing different things, or that you’re not spending much time together.

In fact, this is one of the most important things to keep the connection alive. The second thing you can do is create new memories. You could share your favorite hobbies with your friend, or try something new together. 

10. Practice active kindness. 

We all know that the people who are important to us are our friends. It can be so easy to take them for granted, to stop investing in your friendships, and to forget how much they mean to you. 

Furthermore, practicing active kindness involves making a conscious effort to be kind and supportive towards your friend(s) on a regular basis. This includes a listening ear, expressing gratitude, showing empathy, offering practical help, celebrating their successes, and respecting their boundaries. 

11. Be there for the hard times. 

The best friendships are those that weather tough times. 

One of the most effective ways to deepen a meaningful friendship is to offer comfort and support during difficult times. Sometimes that might mean doing something like volunteering to help a friend in need, or spending time together during a difficult period. But sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for a friend is to be there for them during a tough time. 

It could be as simple as reaching out when they need a hug or just being a good listener.

12. Show gratitude. 

Sometimes it can feel difficult to understand what a person likes about you, and what you can do to deepen your friendship. One way to deepen your friendship is to show gratitude and appreciation for the role your friend plays in your life.

Gratitude can be expressed through an email, thoughtful texts, handwritten notes, or a phone call. You can also schedule a small activity with your friend, such as going for a walk or having coffee. 

Lastly, to deepen your friendship express what you value in your friend. What is it about them that you appreciate? Acknowledging this will help you to break through the barriers that may prevent you from expressing your feelings.

13. Encourage and motivate each other. 

A friendship is an intentional relationship that requires a lot of work and effort from both people involved. The best way to do this is to provide encouragement and support. 

When one person is struggling, give them encouragement and support. When one person is feeling inspired, provide them with support and encouragement.

Ultimately, this will encourage each other and help both people grow. The important thing is to do this consistently. 

14. Take Responsibility for Your Own Actions

Taking responsibility for your own actions is an important aspect of building and maintaining intentional relationships.

If you make a mistake or do something that harms your friend, it’s important to acknowledge it and take responsibility for your actions. This could involve apologizing and making amends, if necessary.

Additionally, when things go wrong in a friendship, it’s easy to blame others for the problem. However, taking responsibility means recognizing your own role in a situation and avoiding the temptation to shift the blame to others. 

By taking responsibility for your own actions, you can build deeper, more healthy relationships with your friends, and create a foundation of trust and mutual respect that can withstand the ups and downs of life. 

15. Maintain a healthy balance. 

Intentional friendships can be some of the most rewarding relationships in your life. However, it is important to make sure that you maintain a healthy balance between spending quality time together and respecting each other’s individual lives and space. 

You can create a healthy balance by taking some time off from the friendship. It doesn’t have to be a long time, but you may need to take a break for a few weeks or even a few months.

In fact, If you have the strong bond that you believe you have, you will withstand a break.

16. Be willing to compromise. 

One of the best ways to build lasting, meaningful relationships is to be willing to compromise. You have to be willing to be flexible and open to the process. You have to be open to the idea of compromise and be willing to make it happen. When you do this, you show your commitment to the relationship. 

17. Be Open & Compassionate With Yourself When Things Don’t Go According To Plan

Friendships are a delicate balance of giving and taking, of connecting and disconnecting. Sometimes it is hard to keep up a meaningful friendship when we are all too human. Sometimes, our hearts may get in the way of what we need to do. 

It is natural to have times when you feel hurt, disappointed, or angry with someone. This is a time when it is important to be open and compassionate with yourself. 

If you are open and compassionate with yourself, you can process your emotions without carrying them into the future. 

In short, this is an important step in creating a more meaningful, lasting friendship.

18. Understand their love language. 

Dr. Gary Chapman, a professor at the University of Houston and the founder of The Family Christian bookstore, developed the idea of the five love languages. 

Dr. Chapman found that people often speak different love languages and that there is no one way to express love. 

The love languages are:

• Words of affirmation: This love language is all about verbal communication in a loving way.
• Acts of service: This love language is about doing things for your friend that shows you care. 
• Physical touch: This love language is about hugs, pats on the back, and other forms of physical affection. Human connection is an important part of friendships.
• Quality time: This love language is about giving someone your undivided attention. 
• Gift-giving: This love language is about tangible symbols of love (thoughtful gifts).

If you are trying to deepen an intentional friendship with someone and you feel like you don’t know what their love language is, you can try and figure it out by asking them what they like about you and what they enjoy about your friendship. 

19. Keep in touch. 

It’s not always easy to maintain a friendship with someone who lives far away.

But there are some things you can do to keep in touch and make the effort to connect. If you both live far away, use Skype or FaceTime to call each other. Send each other text messages to catch up on what’s going on. Keep in touch on social media. 

It’s easier to keep a connection with someone if you’re constantly connected to them on a personal level.

If you live in the same city, try to get together for a meal or for coffee dates. If you live in different parts of the country, try to plan a trip. 

20. Understand the impact of social media on friendships.

Social media can be an incredibly powerful tool. It can help you connect with people all over the world, and it can also help you deepen relationships with those in your life. 

The way that social media impacts friendships are that it allows people to express themselves in ways that they might not be able to otherwise. 

Social media can be positive because it can allow people to connect with a community that they might not otherwise. 

It can also be very negative, especially in more anonymous settings, as people can share more than they would in person. In order to avoid the negatives of social media while also tapping into the positives, you should take a few precautions, such as being mindful of what you post and share. 

21. Be authentic and true to yourself. 

It can be hard to maintain friendships with people who are constantly changing. 

In order to create a friendship that lasts, be yourself and allow your friendship to grow in its natural state. Be authentic and true to yourself.

Don’t change who you are to please your friend, but rather be yourself and allow the friendship to grow naturally. 

If you find yourself in a situation where you are constantly changing to please your friend, do a personal reflection, as it may be time to reevaluate your friendship.

Key Takeaways: 21 Powerful Ways to Deepen Intentional Friendships That Last 

To conclude, intentional friendships are a crucial part of our lives, especially as we enter our thirties and beyond. As we grow older, we need a group of friends who we can rely on, who understand us, and who share our values. By applying the 21 powerful ways I’ve discussed in this blog, you can start cultivating deeper and more meaningful connections with the people around you.

Whether it’s by taking the time to listen actively, sharing your own vulnerabilities, or simply scheduling regular check-ins, there are countless ways to build stronger friendships and make them last. 

So, go out there, be vulnerable, listen actively, and cultivate those meaningful connections that will enrich your life for years to come.

Let’s Chat!

Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s start a discussion on how we can all deepen our intentional friendships together.

What is one of the 21 powerful ways we discussed in this blog that you’re most excited to put into practice? 

Why do you think this particular way resonates with you?

Reference:

Chapman, G. D., & Chapman, G. D. (2014). The 5 love languages. Northfield Publishing.