15+ Types Of Friends You Need To Have Throughout Your Life

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Life is beautiful when you have wonderful friends by your side. Having unique types of friends can make your mundane life enjoyable. In addition to companionship, friends can enhance your mental health and overall quality of life by offering support during tough times. Friendship makes life cheerful and meaningful, and a bosom buddy group is incomplete without many different characters. Some friends stand by you in difficult times, while others fill your gloomy days with happy moments. Many also play the role of a guide, while others are involved with you in making mischief. This post lists the types of friends you must have to add memorable and delightful moments to your life.

15+ Types Of Friends You Need To Have In Life

According to the American Psychological Association, friendship is a voluntary relationship between two or more people that is relatively long-lasting and in which those involved tend to be concerned with meeting the others’ needs and interests as well as satisfying their own desires (1). In other words, you bond well with a person if you have common shared experiences and if you feel that your relationship with them is mutually gratifying. If you have a few of these buddies, you can keep all the worries out of your life. Here are some types of friends every person should have in their lives.

1. A loyal friend

A loyal companion is rare to find, but you will not be alone once you have them. They are honest and straightforward and provide you unconditional friendship. They may disagree with your opinions but will make sure you know the truth. You can always depend on them to see your side of the argument. Moreover, whether they like your decisions or not, they will never desert you. They will stay by your side even in your lows and defend you against your naysayers. Experts say that people who have close friends are more satisfied with their lives and are less likely to suffer from depression (2).

2. An adventurer

An adventurous buddy is like a fighter. Such friends can help you tackle any extreme situation. They are brave and passionate about exploring the world. Being with such a companion can add a different perspective on the world. They get an adrenaline spike just talking about thrilling activities such as paragliding and parachuting. Hence, they are worth having by your side.

Point to consider

Friends can also serve as a distraction when you feel low.

3. An honest friend

Honesty could be harsh at times, but it gives you clarity. Honest friends are straightforward; they don’t believe in embellishing the facts and will tell you straight up what you need to hear, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it is. They are usually brutally honest because your well-being is a priority for them and not your approval. Their words might hurt you, but you can trust them to have your best interests at heart. One of the best aspects of having a genuinely honest pal is that they will teach you how to take a stand for yourself during challenging situations. For instance, they will teach you the power of a simple ‘no.’

4. A foodie friend

Foodie friends can make your life joyful. Conversations with them range around food, its preparation, the best places to eat, world cuisine etc. Even if there is a hole in the corner joint in any city specializing in a particular dish, they will know about it. You may often find them carrying food and taking you out to experiment and relish every food corner of the city. Some may even like cooking, and they could invite you for the best feasts. These friends bring positivity and delicious food into your life!

5. A mentor friend

Often, you need a mentor to guide you in the right direction. The mentor can be anyone—one of your colleagues, neighbors, or relatives. But, you will be lucky if you get a mentor in your chum. They urge you to expand your horizons and introduce you to new opportunities, ideas, perspectives, people, and cultures. They listen to you and give you the best advice. A true ally helps you think positively and keeps inspiring you to do great things. Such friends open your minds and challenge you to think out of the box. They guide and counsel you and keep you on the right track. When you succeed in your work, they will be your biggest cheerleaders. These friends are least jealous and only encourage you to do better.

6. A funny friend

Every person would like to have a soulmate who can lighten your mood in seconds. Their personality is infectious, and they can make you laugh for no reason. They crack you up with their bad jokes as well as hilarious ones. They have a good sense of humor and can help you deal with any situation. These friends are rare to come by. So, hold on to them when you get one.

Diverse friendships can provide a deeper understanding of oneself and also of others. Having a diverse group of friends can make one more accepting of multi-cultures and empathetic. A survey showed that some teens had close friends of different gender, race, or ethnicity. As the graph below depicts, around 60% of U.S. teens reported having a bestie of another race or gender.

Different types of close friends of US Teens

7. A good listener

Active listening is one of the most important qualities of a good friend. A person who listens carefully can nurture any relationship and we all need a person who will lend us a patient ear when our soul is weary and life seems hard. You can always bank on them to be there for you and hold space for you in case you wish to let off some steam. A good listener always focuses on the person who is speaking. Having such a confidant in life will encourage you to open up with all your thoughts. You will feel respected when you connect with such a reliable friend. They might not give you advice but after talking with them, you can be relaxed enough to make your own decisions. They won’t force you to do something that you do not like.

8. A loud friend

It is said that action speaks louder than words, and if you have a loud amigo, none can speak louder than them. They are just oblivious of the term- volume control! They are too loud to be controlled at times, but they would never shy away from supporting you when you are alone. So, be glad if you have them, as they are no less than gems. Usually, introverted people have such extroverted friends who take them under their wing and take care of them!

Quick fact

Friends promote healthy behaviors, combat depression, and provide joy and fulfillment.

9. A father-figure friend

These friends are the responsible ones and every group should have one to rein in the antics of the more energetic people in the group. They get things done and make sure everything goes smoothly whenever you meet – alone or in a group. They are super knowledgeable about most things. You can share a strong bond with a mate who cares for you and protects you at every step. They act as a shield for you and are truthful. You can easily rely on them for the right advice. At parties and during outings, this is the friend who remains sober and makes sure everyone reaches home safely. This friend is a must-have for every person.

10. A work friend

With people spending more and more of their waking hours at work, having a crony at your workplace can keep all your pressure at bay. Whenever you are stressed with the workload or any project, a chit-chat with them over a cup of coffee can keep you calm. Your office hours can become an enjoyable part of the day with such a colleague by your side. In some cases, a work friend can also become a lifetime friend!

11. A friend from a different culture

When you have an associate from a different cultural background, you get the opportunity to explore and understand the customs, traditions, and values of another place. You may get to learn new languages and may even have the chance to taste a wide range of dishes. So, enjoy the cross cultural diversity and get new ideas from them.

12. A studious friend

If you are a student, you will know the value of a studious friend. This friend makes sure you write all your notes and study well. Such friends are found at work, too. There, they may take up your work to decrease your workload, but they will make sure you do all the necessary work for the day so that there is no backlog. These friends teach you the value of hard work and honesty.

13. A social friend

Social birds in a friends’ circle are always active. They are talkative, extroverted, and charming. They like to meet new people and make friends. They serve as a natural medicine and keep sharing the love and pain of the group. These friends know the best parties and the coolest people. Having such a compadre will make you happier and fill your life with memorable moments.

14. A lazy friend

They might be perceived as lazy, but they are comfortable with their idleness and love to relax. Such confidants are comfy with the mess around them and are often considered late-comers. You have to push them to complete their tasks on time. But you may not know that they are creative people, and you should appreciate having such lovely people in your group. They also teach you to stop and smell the roses in a hectic world.

15. A childhood friend

Old friends witness our growth in life. The comfort level we enjoy with them cannot be duplicated with any other partner, sometimes not even a sibling. They have seen you at your worst and your best and are still around. Their presence is like sunshine on a cold winter day, cozy and comfortable like an old sweater. Though they may be far from you, they would be there for you through thick and thin and run through walls for you. Whenever you need them, your childhood playmate will always be there for you. So, do not forget to stay connected with such good ol’ friends as they are precious.

16. Frenemies

While the term ‘frenemies’ typically implies a relationship combining elements of friendship and rivalry, having frenemies can serve as a source of healthy competition, motivating you to strive for personal and professional success. Frenemies can help you discern who your true friends are by contrasting genuine relationships with more superficial ones and providing a more realistic view of your strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, dealing with frenemies can build emotional resilience and teach you how to navigate complex social dynamics.

17. Acquaintances

Although acquaintances are not friends, time might make the relationship look like friends. Acquaintances come from various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Interacting with them exposes you to diverse perspectives and cultural diversity, helping you broaden your understanding of the world. While close friends are essential, having a broader network of acquaintances provides a more extensive social ecosystem. According to research, people who talk to acquaintances tend to be happier than people who have fewer acquaintances (3).

What Are The Benefits Of Friendship?

Studies show that people with close friends have better mental health than those without friends. They are satisfied with their lives and are less likely to suffer from depression. Apart from mental health benefits, there are physical benefits too. People with friendships are less likely to have heart disease and other chronic diseases (2). Friendships lend you a sense of support that can improve mental well-being. Friends are even a source of motivation and identity.

Human beings are social and need connections with each other to have a fulfilling life. Having friends from different backgrounds exposes you to diverse perspectives and cultures, fostering increased empathy and understanding. Friends also bring varied viewpoints that help enhance problem-solving abilities and inspire creative solutions for issues. Moreover, the support from friends helps build emotional resilience, equipping you to resolve conflicts with a balanced approach.

Practical Tips For Building Strong Friendships

Friendships are usually made for life. These relationships set you up with people who will stand by you at all times. Hence, it is important to choose your friends wisely. It is often said that a person is known by the company he keeps. With these tips, you will be able to pick great friends and also maintain the relationship well.

1. Communicate often

This is more important once everyone parts ways in life. You should be intentional about being in contact with your friends. If your friends live in different cities, you can FaceTime them regularly. Texts, calls, and emails are other forms in which you can be connected with each other. Often, in our busy lives, we may forget to contact a friend. You can set reminders so that you are in touch with your friends.

2. Offer support

Friends share their issues with each other in the hope of unconditional support. If your friend is going through a tough time, share a shoulder for them to lean on and do not judge. Instead, support them by being patient while they figure out what to do.

3. Create memories

Go on trips and plan activities that you will enjoy with your friends. Whether it is traveling or shopping, make sure you spend quality time with them so that there are lots of good memories. These shared experiences will go a long way in strengthening your relationship.

4. Set boundaries

However close your friend may be, there are some boundaries that both you and them need to observe. Understanding those boundaries and respecting personal space plays a huge role in maintaining a good friendship. If there are any differences of opinion, you can address them immediately with honesty. Avoid discussing your issues with your friends with other people.

5. Appreciate them

Everyone needs a pick-up from time to time and your friends are no different. Small things like remembering their birthdays and celebrating their small wins can show them how much you care.

Infographic: Types Of Friends That Everyone Should Have In Their Life

Different kinds of friends enrich our lives with their viewpoints, experiences, and support. And, if you’re lucky enough, you may have all these qualities in one true best friend. So, scroll through the infographic below to know the various types of friends one should have in their life.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Sadhvi Nishtha OmMSc

Monk Sadhvi Nishtha Om is a practicing psychologist and psychotherapist in India with ten years of experience. She has worked with children, adolescents and adults using tools such as Therapeutic Meditation, Inner Child Healing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Empowerment Technique (EET) in a career spanning more than a decade.

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Rohan SinhaBBA

Rohan was an HR analyst before transitioning into a freelance writer/ editor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources from Christ University, Bangalore, and previously worked as an analyst in Goldman Sachs.

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Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Ipshita ChakrabortyMA

Ipshita Chakraborty is a creative content writer with an avid interest in human relationships and literature from around the world. She completed her bachelors in English literature at Patna University and masters in English literature at Sharda University.

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