New love is one of the most refreshing and exciting things a girl can experience. But finding someone who makes you feel wanted makes it easy to get swept up and leave your friends in the dust, especially in the beginning stages of the relationship. Whether you’re a pro at the balancing game or not, here are some quick tips to help you keep your boyfriend close and your friends closer.
1. Keep Your Promises. If you make plans for a girls’ night out, stick to the plan. Ditching your friends for a new guy is never acceptable. The same goes with lying about your whereabouts, because it’s likely they’ll eventually find out. Chances are, if you let it happen more than once your friends will start to resent you, which is the last thing you want.
2. Make an effort. Your friends will feel less left out or put on the backburner if you make a visible effort to spend time with them too. Be just as present in their lives as you were before, and don’t ever stop caring about them. Plan movie nights or shopping trips. Give them advice or help when they need it. They will see that just because you’re dating someone doesn’t mean that things have changed.
3. Introductions. This is extremely important. Your best friends are your best friends because they matter to you. If they haven’t met your boyfriend or don’t know anything about him, they can’t approve of him and will feel hurt. Every once in a while, find fun ways to hang out all together in a way that’s not awkward.Â
4. No secrets. New relationships are exciting and fun. Part of that fun and excitement comes with being able to gush about your new guy with your friends. Don’t keep them in the dark, but don’t over share. It’s hard to strike the perfect balance, but I think it’s better to tell your friends the things they want to know. Hiding parts of your relationship will make them think that you’re keeping secrets.
5. Be understanding. If your friends voice any opinions about changes in your relationship, don’t blow up at them. Take a second to realize that the only reason they’re upset is because they care about you. Never say things like, “Why can’t you just be happy for me?” or “You’re just jealous.” Your friends just miss you, which you should take as a compliment, and not as a reason to get defensive. Take the time to talk it out, and show them that you care about them just as much.