Communication in friendship and romantic relationships

Friendship and love are among the most tender and cherished emotions essential to every person. To maintain harmony with a friend or loved one, it is crucial to approach building relationships responsibly: caring for each other, paying attention, respecting mutual personal boundaries, and being there in any situation.

Psychologists believe that friendship and love are often interconnected concepts, and sometimes friendship between a man and a woman can transform into romantic relationships.

How to build a relationship with a friend

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that friendship is mutual. The balance of “give and take” must be maintained: friends support each other, listen to one another, and help not only with words but with actions. Good friendship is characterized by:

• The ability to listen and understand. A good friend is always ready to be there, attentively listening without interrupting or rushing to share their own experience.
• Unconditional acceptance. A friend is prepared to accept their close one in any state: successful, confused, happy, or upset.
• Maintaining priority. A true friend doesn’t push their friendship to the background after starting a family or having children.
• Friendship at a distance. It doesn’t matter how often you see your close friend; what matters is the quality of your communication, whether through text or video calls.

At the same time, friends always respect each other’s personal boundaries. If there are topics the close friend is unwilling to discuss, they will understand and not insist on talking about them.

Features of building romantic relationships

In love, as in friendship, attention and care for your partner are crucial. However, it’s important to understand that a loved one is not a parent, so care should be appropriate and not violate personal boundaries. For example, if your loved one is ill, you can take care of them by buying medicine, making tea, or simply being nearby. But going to the doctor’s office with them and explaining their health problems is not a good idea because they are an adult and capable person.

For romantic relationships to be warm, trusting, and harmonious, the following principles are recommended:

• Accepting each other as you are. Unconditional acceptance is the foundation of romantic relationships. Attempts to remake a partner to your liking reflect unhealthy egoism and will only destroy the bond.
• Respecting personal boundaries. Boundaries exist in all aspects, even in intimate life. If you or your partner feel uncomfortable, it’s important not to hesitate to talk about it so that irritation doesn’t build up.
• Learn to talk about your feelings.
• Criticize actions, not the person. For example, instead of “You’re irresponsible,” say, “You act irresponsibly when you don’t answer your phone—it makes me worry.”

What friendship and love have in common

Both friendships and romantic relationships are about mutuality, respect, and acceptance. Both friends and romantic partners do not try to reshape each other but accept one another with all their strengths and weaknesses. A careful attitude toward feelings is another crucial aspect of both friendship and love, where partners are not afraid to express and voice their emotions.

Spending time together is also significant. It’s important to agree on where and how you will spend time together, how often you will meet, and how much time you’ll spend alone so that both of you feel comfortable.

Common mistakes in building relationships

People often make mistakes in building friendships or romantic relationships, such as:

• Jealousy and attempts to limit communication: “You must spend time only with me,” or “Don’t talk to that friend—they’re not good for you.” These are the first signs of abusive relationships that rarely end well.
• One-sided effort, where one person takes all the resources from the friend or loved one but is entirely unwilling to contribute to the relationship themselves.
• Extreme openness at the beginning of the relationship, wanting to share all the most intimate details of your past and present life. Too much openness can feel alarming and drive someone away from further relationship development.
• Ignoring emotions and needs, devaluing them. What may seem minor or insignificant to you might be challenging for your partner, and they may need support. Without receiving it, they might eventually decide to end the relationship.

Where to find a friend or partner

If you’re looking for a close friend or a romantic partner, the internet is a convenient and safe option these days. One such platform is wedaf.com, which hosts numerous profiles to connect with.

By approaching friendships and romantic relationships with mutual respect, empathy, and an understanding of boundaries, you can build connections that are fulfilling and lasting.