5 types of friends each of us should have

Do you also have friends who are completely different from each other? With someone we are pleased to have a rest, with someone - to talk about life. You can rely on someone in a risky situation or even incite to an adventure that no one else will agree to. Experts identify 5 main types of friends, which, as they believe, no person can do without.

Comedian

Lucinda Rosenfeld, author of four novels and former Friends and Tips columnist for Slate, believes that a humorous friend can not only help you have fun, but can also express warmth and compassion, and can handle difficult situations more easily. life.

Recently, my close friend and I had to go through a very difficult period when our parents were very sick. There was nothing funny in this situation, but for a whole year we exchanged opinions in a humorous manner. Each of us used a different way of describing our own suffering, and we often used black humor, comparing who's situation in the family is worse. We laughed to ease our sadness (albeit temporarily), and this ability to make each other laugh helped us get through the tragedy.

Coach

Courtney McAvinta, author of Respect and co-founder of the Respect Institute, a nonprofit organization that provides young people with the tools to build self-esteem, believes that each of us must have a friend to motivate us to improve and move forward.

Due to being too busy, I very rarely communicate with one of my friends. But in fact, the frequency of our communication does not matter. When we cross, she activates me. Her pep gives me hope about myself, my future and what I do. In addition, my "antidepressant friend" is a very strong personality, she also energizes me, instills faith and desire to achieve my goals, to be confident in my own decisions. She's recharging my emotional battery until the next time we get a chance to meet.

Adventurer

Andrea Bonior, Ph. D., a licensed clinical psychologist and author of The Friendship Fix, believes that one of the main types of friends is the person who is willing to take risks and is not afraid to act bravely.

Each of us should have an adventurer friend who pushes us towards new ideas and actions that we would never have dared to take. Some time ago, I was so much inspired by the example of a traveling friend of mine, whose child has more marks in her child's passport than most adults, that as a result my husband and I started thinking more seriously about traveling with children. So two years ago we went on a road trip across Canada with our three children, the oldest of whom was only 4 years old. It may seem to you that this is very scary. Yes, it is, but we had so much fun that we are going to repeat this venture next summer.

Challenger

Mary Ann Dzubak, Ph. D. at the University of Washington, St. Louis, reminded you of the need to have an honest friend who is not afraid to challenge you.

One character trait that we often underestimate in others is honesty. This is why I have always admired the friendship of women rights leaders Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. They have lived very different lives. Anthony was single and Stanton was married with seven children. And they constantly argued openly about abstinence, sexual rights, and suffrage. But because they were able to challenge and educate each other, they did a lot for the women of the United States. And all this time they remained close friends.

Loyal

Arian Price, a member of The Groundlings at the famed Los Angeles improvisation troupe and blogger for Tales of a Real Hollywood Mom, says that everyone should also have a friend to show their weaknesses to.

Each of us should have a person before whom you can appear in the worst possible light and not be afraid to be judged for your mistakes or rash decisions. Such a person will not only not criticize you, but will also allow you to express all your emotions when you need it. Recently, I was having dinner with my girlfriend when they called me and said that I had not been hired for one of the big roles. After the conversation, I tried to act as if nothing had happened, but a friend told me that she would rather I express my emotions than sit all evening with a forced smile. Each of us needs a friend who is ready to support us at a time when we are not in our best shape.