A good friend who has been overlooked
It’s unfortunate when a good friend feels overlooked or underappreciated. Here are some steps you can take to show your appreciation and strengthen your friendship:
Reflect on your actions: Consider whether you might have unintentionally overlooked your friend. Have you been too busy, preoccupied, or distracted? Self-awareness is the first step in addressing the issue.
Reach out: Initiate contact with your friend. Send a heartfelt message, call, or arrange to meet up. Let them know that you value their friendship and want to spend time together.
Listen actively: When you do communicate with your friend, be a good listener. Give them your full attention, ask about their thoughts and feelings, and genuinely show interest in what they have to say.
Express your appreciation: Make an effort to express your gratitude for their friendship. You can do this verbally by saying thank you or through small gestures like sending a handwritten note or a thoughtful gift.
Apologize if necessary: If you realize that you’ve unintentionally hurt your friend or neglected them, apologize sincerely. Acknowledge your mistake and commit to doing better in the future.
Make plans: Plan activities or outings that you both enjoy. Spending quality time together can help rekindle your friendship and create new memories.
Be consistent: Consistency in your efforts to maintain the friendship is crucial. Don’t just reach out when you feel guilty or when you need something; make an ongoing effort to stay connected.
Show empathy: Try to understand your friend’s perspective and feelings. Empathize with what they might have experienced due to feeling overlooked.
Be open to feedback: Encourage your friend to share their thoughts and feelings about the friendship. Be receptive to their feedback and willing to make necessary changes.
Prioritize the friendship: Make a conscious decision to prioritize your friendship and invest time and effort into it. Good friendships require effort from both parties.
Remember that relationships evolve, and it’s normal to have ups and downs. By taking proactive steps to address the issue and show your friend that you value them, you can work together to strengthen your friendship and overcome any feelings of being overlooked.
