2016-05-12

women-travelingIt’s hard to imagine a life without our girlfriends. No, we’re not knocking the special relationships we have with our spouses and family. There’s just something particularly special about the bond we create with our girlfriends. We laugh with them; we cry with them, we create mischief with them, we learn about ourselves with them. They really help shape our lives in ways that are beyond our imagination. We increase our chances of living longer, happier and healthier lives when we have the right people in them. If you don’t have these girlfriends in your life, you don’t know what you’re missing. Here are six friends every woman needs in her life.

Loyal Friends: We all need loyal girlfriends. They are our ride-or-dies. They’d take a bullet for you if it came down to it, and you’d do the same. They don’t judge you, and make it a point to regard you with the upmost respect you because your love is sisterly. It’s like you’ve got the same blood running through you. They know your deepest, darkest secrets and you know theirs and you both wouldn’t dare tell a soul because of the love you share for each other. Sometimes, a loyal best friend is all you need.

Old Friends: Old girlfriends really hold the friendship glue together. They’ve been beside you through puberty and some of your most awkward stages. They grew with you in college, they celebrated with you when you accepted your first job, and they were beside you at your wedding and your first baby shower and will be there in old age. When you felt like everyone else bailed on you, your old friend was still there, serving as a shoulder to cry on. You probably value them more than a lot of people that have come and gone in your life. The longevity of your friendship proves that they will be beside you no matter what.

New Friends: New girlfriends are so important because they represent the changing phases of our lives. Right when you think you’re friendship circle is complete, the new girlfriend comes along to change this notion. Sometimes your friendship begins in the oddest ways. Maybe in a course you never wanted to take, or the grocery store line, or maybe through a friend of a friend. There’s something refreshing about meeting someone new. Sometimes these friends are there because we are growing apart from our old friends, and that’s ok. Sometimes they're there simply for the change we need. They can offer fresh perspectives, new experiences and memories. They remind us that friendship is fluid.

Spontaneous Friends: Everyone needs spontaneous girlfriends in their lives. They are full of adventure. When you’re nervous about trying something new, they are the first ones placing both of your names on the sign-up sheet. All of those crazy party photos and Vegas memories happened because your spontaneous friends were there to encourage it. While relationships with them can be a little unsettling if you’re one who’s more of the cautious type, half of the new things you’ve tried probably wouldn’t have happened without these special friends.

Opposite Friends: They say opposites attract. The same that goes for your relationships also applies to your friendships. The polar opposite friends are there to protect you when you can’t find your voice and you are there when they can’t find there’s.

They may have different beliefs, customs and values than you do, but that’s not always a bad thing. They help you see the world in a different way, and that betters you. You’re less likely to promote negative stereotypes and worldviews when this person is balancing your views. If you think all of your friendships are supposed to be with people just like you, you’re wrong and missing out. Wise Friends: The wise girlfriend provides you with direction. Yes, they may be the introverts, but they are also the ones who listen to every detail of your story and see the side you could never see or don’t wish to. If you are dealing with something heavy, they are right there beside you to help you work those things out. They tell you the things you may not want to hear but need to, not only because they’re wise, but because they care for you deeply.

Every woman is blessed when they have these six girlfriends in their lives. We wouldn’t be the same without them.

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