Signs Someone’s New Friends Are Better Than Their Old Friends

1. They Have Given You Your Energy Back

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Often when a big stress is lifted off of our shoulders, we are suddenly able to sleep better, there is a spring in our step, strangers compliment us on our sparkly eyes etc. It’s like our body is happy too. If your new friends have come with a large side of energy and renewed zest for life, you know they are the ones for you.

2. They Actually Communicate

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I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a thousand times: communication solves everything. Often a perfectly compatible friendship is ruined simply because your counterpart refuses to openly discuss your issues, tiny hiccups turn into huge fights just because no one communicated how they felt in the beginning. If your new friends are happy to have open and calm communication on a regular basis, it’s looking like this could be a long lasting and healthy relationship.

3. You’ve Waved Goodbye To The Drama

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We all love a bit of reality TV but your life is not an episode of ‘The Real Housewives’. You have to let go of the drama for your own wellbeing. If your old friends were constantly trying to twist everything into a scandal, they'd be better off getting a job on Jersey Shore and staying out of your life. If your new friends are happy to live a peaceful life without the constant fireworks, you and your blood pressure will be much better off.

4. You Can Trust Them

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Not being able to trust those you are closest to is a horrible feeling and can leave you feeling uncertain of everything. After all, if you can’t trust your bffs, how can you possibly rely on anyone else? It might take time to learn to trust again, especially if you have been burned in the past, but having friends you can truly confide in is a game changer for your peace of mind.

5. You Have Shared Interests

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Now, this is not me saying that you have to have everything in common with your pals but it’s certainly a good start to have passions you can share and bond over. If your old friends rolled their eyes when you spoke about your love of Broadway Musicals but your new friends are inviting you round theirs for a ‘Wine and West Side Story’ evening, I think we both know who you will be happier with.

6. R.E.S.P.E.C.T

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Don’t worry Aretha, I sure know what it means to me: it means your new friends not taking you for granted, understanding that your time is important and that your opinions and preferences are your own and just as worthwhile as theirs. If your old besties constantly made you feel like dirt but your new friends uphold you as a respected member of their social circle, you are certainly in a better position now.

7. They Listen To You

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A brilliant friend will always make you feel heard. When you tell a story that means a lot to you, they will focus in and block out distractions, and if they don’t have the time right now? Well, they will let you know so they can schedule in time to really take in your story later. For your sake, I hope your new people are just like this.

8. You Can Rely On Them

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When you have become accustomed to your old friends only showing up for you when they feel like it, it can be a real shock to the system to find out that other people aren’t like that. There are brilliant folk who when they have agreed to a time and place will be there with all the emotional support you need.

9. They Offer A New Perspective

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When we've been revolving in the same social circles for years, our perspectives on the world can all seem to mould into one. Soon we can’t remember whose opinion is whose and conversation can become stagnant when everyone just agrees with each other. Some fresh ideas and some fresh stories to share might be just the elixir you need.

10. You Laugh More

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They say laughter is the best medicine and whilst I think 99.9% of medical professionals would argue in favor of ACTUAL medication instead, I personally think a really good belly laugh is a close second. It’s one of the best feelings in the world, being made to laugh by someone you love and knowing you have the ability to have them rolling on the floor too.

11. You Have ‘Me’ Time

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Of course you should want to be spending lots of time with your new besties and should be excited to see them! However, if they are demanding every second of your day, that is just not sustainable. Whether we are introverts, extroverts or everything in between, EVERYONE needs time to be alone. It’s in these quiet moments we are able to re-connect with ourselves, properly rest and, let's be honest, binge an unhealthy amount of Grey’s Anatomy. A good friend will respect your personal space and always understand that you need time to recharge.

12. No More Peer Pressure

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Did you often find that with your old friends you were always in situations that made you feel uncomfortable or even unsafe? Too many of us have experienced this type of friendship and it is time to put our foot down. I can’t tell you how relaxing it is to find friends who take your ‘no’ as a ‘no’. You are a grown adult; you should never be being pressured into anything.

13. You Can Skip Baggage Claim

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Sometimes when a friendship has run its course, the only way to stop it from completely crashing and burning under the weight of your long-standing disagreements is to gently step aside. A huge plus point of your new friends is that there are no huge arguments to resurface, everything is fresh and new and you can work to keep it happy and healthy for the foreseeable future.

14. Mutual Love & Appreciation

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We all have people in our lives that we know love us a lot less than we love them, no one is necessarily at fault but that doesn’t make it any less heart breaking. You deserve best friends that love and appreciate you just as much as you love and appreciate them. Forget dating, a friendship with mutual love is the definition of REAL romance.

15. No More Competition

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Did you dread telling your old friends about your achievements because you knew it would only spur them on to do one better? There is nothing more frustrating than feeling like you are in a constant duel with your own friend. If your new friends are secure enough in themselves to not need to compete with their bffs, they are deffo a better idea than your old besties.

16. No Judgement

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You deserve to be celebrated! If your new friends love the parts of your personality that your old friends judged you for, if they praise the same bold fashion choices that your ex-besties made you feel embarrassed about and if they encourage your fun little hobbies that your old pals rolled their eyes at – YOU ARE BETTER OFF!

17. Your Mind Is Happier

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Unhealthy or emotionally manipulative relationships of all kinds can completely shatter our mental health. If the people you hold closest to your heart are the ones disparaging you and making you feel constantly on edge, it could completely alter the way you see yourself and your worth. You will know if your new friends are right for you simply from the effect they have on your mind. If it feels like a weight is lifted and you are generally in a brighter mood, it sounds like they are the perfect match!

18. Shared Goals

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Friendships with people at different life stages to you can be really beneficial, I hugely encourage you to find friends that are at a later stage in life; their advice and knowledge is invaluable. HOWEVER it is also important to find a friend that is at the same stage and with similar goals so that you can work together to achieve your dreams. If you are career-minded, find someone who shares this and who can encourage and inspire you as you progress.

19. They Respect Your Boundaries

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If your boundaries make you a healthier and happier person and don’t harm anyone else – why on earth were your old friends refusing to honor them?! Your friends should admire your willingness to do what is right for you and not constantly be over stepping.

20. New Friendship Network

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One new friend is never just the one new friend, every social connection opens the door to a myriad of new friendship opportunities! With your ex-friends, you probably weren't meeting tonnes of exciting new people through them, however your new pals will be able to introduce you to lots of brilliant new people; and if your friends are as lovely as we have heard they are, we bet their other besties will be pretty great too!

21. No Toxicity

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If your last close friendship was a toxic one, full of manipulation and forced conflict, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you have found friends that don’t need to truth twist and gaslight you into staying around. Once you aren’t having to worry every day about what your friends will do or say, your life will be immeasurably more enjoyable. If your new pals are free from toxicity – never turn back to your old ones!

22. They Encourage Your True Self

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Being vulnerable and honest about who you truly are is a scary but necessary part of any new friendship. Maybe your old friends made you feel you had to hide parts of your identity to fit into what they saw as a picture-perfect bff. If your new friends are better for you, they will not only accept your quirks and individuality – they will encourage it!

23. They Are Loyal

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To be a loyal friend is a beautiful trait in a person, it requires selflessness and a great deal of emotional energy to be there for someone through thick and thin, through the bad times and the good. If your new friends are loyal people, you have to keep them around.

24. Your Self-Esteem Has Doubled

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People have noticed a change in you, when you walk down the street your hair is bouncing, your smile is sparkling and you strike them as someone who has their life together. You are Julia Roberts at the end of Eat Pray Love. You have worked on yourself, and you know who you are! If your self-esteem has doubled since meeting your new social circle, they are definitely doing something right!

25. They Are Available

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No one can be available 24/7, we all need time to turn our phone off. However, if your old friends made you feel like you were annoying or inconveniencing them just by reaching out – you should have stepped aside a LONG time ago. Your new friends should make you feel like contact from you is a joy and that the advice that you need can be freely given.

26. They Are Thoughtful

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Sometimes all you need to turn your day around is a small thoughtful gesture from your best friend. Some people, like your old friends, couldn’t even be bothered to remember your birthday. These new friends remember what syrup you like in your coffee so they can surprise you with a cup on the way to work. It’s the small things but they can make ALL the difference.

27. You are Excited To See Them

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We all have some people in our lives which we secretly dread bumping into, maybe they are emotional vampires, or they just can’t help but talk on and on about themselves and never once ask about you. Your new friends should make you feel excited to see them because you know life is that little bit easier with them around.

28. You Can Sit In Silence

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Everyone loves a really great chat but if you feel so anxious about appearing boring to your friends that you need to constantly fill the silence with mindless chatter, that is no good for anyone! You know your new besties are the ones for you if you can comfortably sit in the quiet moments without feeling the need to impress.

29. You Are Excellent Conflict Solvers

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However lovely you are (and we heard you give Tom Hanks a run for his money in the loveliness stakes) we can’t get on with everyone all of the time. Even the most compatible friendships will come up against some hurdles along the way – the thing that matters is how we deal with them when they happen. A great friendship duo will be able to work together to understand each other’s point of view and reach a resolution.

30. You Just KNOW

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At the end of the day, if your new friends are better than your old ones, you will just know. The relaxation and joy you will feel when you are around them will speak louder than any intellectual reason for why they are technically a good friend. If saying goodbye to your old friends and hello to your new ones brings you peace of mind, you have made a brilliant step towards a happier life.