Good friends are hard to come by.
Having a solid group of friends is one of the most important things in life.
And like any relationship, friendships require a lot of time and effort so that survive the long haul.

Here’s some of the most insightful tips people had to share:
1.
We all go our own way when we reach adulthood.
I still consider my best friends from high school my best friends today."

“Work, patience, and adjusting your expectations.
My friend group has gone from the party every day phase to the party on the weekends phase.
Now, we are ‘Is this function kid-friendly?

If not, we can’t make it because we don’t have a sitter’ phase.
Some see this as a bad thing because priorities shift to more important things, which is true.
u/Motown002
3.

“I’ve made sure to always make time.
“Honestly, showing up is the most effective.
Go to their weddings, events, birthday parties, and parents' funerals.

Call them on holidays or send a ‘thinking of you’ text.
Just make yourself available and show that you actually care about what’s going on in their lives.”
u/addictinsane
5.

“I had an extremely close-knit friend group all through college.
We met each other on day one and lived together all four years.
We’re now in the sixth year and we all went to Boston together this past weekend.

Our lives may change, but we are all still the same group.
Every year we live, laugh, and cry together as if it will be our last time.
Then we hug, say we love each other, and start planning the next one.

I consider myself one of the lucky ones to have this group.
I truly don’t know where I’d be without them.”
“You have to swallow your pride and make an effort.

Ask yourself, do you value the person and relationship?
If you do, then you put the effort in.”
“I’ve known my best friend for 35+ years.

We’ve had ups and downs.
I’m pretty certain he means more to me than I do to him.
I initiate most of the conversation between us.

u/CollateralSandwich
7.
“Be genuine and trustworthy.”
u/Amanda_kiss1
9.
“Respect each other’s time and personal space.
“Reciprocating effort, always.”
u/GlitterGirl_23
11.
“Go to things when you’re invited.
If you keep saying no to things or cancel at the last minute they’ll stop inviting you.”
“Call your friends on the drive home.
If you’re not a caller per se, get into the habit.
Eventually, they’ll be used to your calls, and you’ll become the friend who calls.
This is just one way to show up in your friendship.”
“The other is to make plans and stick with them.
Everyone would rather be home but the reality is that you have to make time to be with others.
u/dreamingrain
13.
Even a simple text or call to ask how someone is doing can keep the connection strong.
“Annual beach or camping trip.
Open text threads.”
u/Gothamtonian
15.
“Be a good listener.
Sometimes friends just need to vent, and a supportive ear is gold.”
u/Indepdent_Low_1426
17.
“ensure to always have time for your closest and best friends.
Good friends are those who stick around, throughout the different stages in life.”
“Unpopular opinion: Sometimes you have to go out even when you don’t want to.
People notice that and will stop depending on you to follow through with plans.
Going out takes time and energy, and you’ll never find a perfect time.”
u/buchwaldjc
19.
“Just talk to them.
If you still want to be friends with them, just be honest.
You let things drift with life, s–t happens.
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.