New year equals a new you, right? Typical new year’s resolutions can lead to a long list of things you may or may not ever get around to: losing weight, getting better grades, or keeping in better touch with old friends. But, how about revamping your life this year by weeding out those who bring you down? To ease your beginning of the semester stresses, here is a breakdown of the various types of friends that you should and should not keep around for 2012.
Ditch:
The Too-Cool Friend: She “forgot” about your lunch date AGAIN and is constantly ignoring your calls and texts. There is always a text saying she wants to hang out but never makes the time to. Why bother? Ditch her before she ditches you again.
The Stage 5 Clinger: Really? She needs to know where you are every moment of every day?! We thought going to college would mean independence. Get rid of the stage 5 clinger fast before no one wants to hang out with you if you only come in twos.
The Gossip Girl (or boy): She told your friend, who told another, who is now mad at you because of something you said last week. You don’t want all of your trusted secrets spilled to the world via this gossiper’s big mouth. If this girl can’t keep your secret, be sure to leave her in Manhattan with Serena and the other Upper East Siders.
The “Frenemy”: The only reason you keep each other around is to be able to talk behind each other’s back. There has never been anything nice you have done for each other, so why stick around? Keep you friends close, keep your frenemies further away.
The Solely Facebook Friend: You only are friends via facebook or other social networks and you ignore each other in person. This is doing you no justice. Go on a new years cleanse by defriending all of your solely facebook friends. Is it really that important to see that random high schooler’s new baby?
The Friend with Benefits: Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis made it look sooo easy. However, this rarely
works out into an emotionless situation. If this is what you are looking for, then go for it. If not, stop booty-calling that “friend” every Friday night.
The Ex-Friend: Your ex significant other. Warning: danger zone.
Keep:
The Mom Friend: There is always one! She is constantly the one in control of the situation, staying calm when you obviously are not. She helps you call a cab and spots you when you lose your entire wallet at the bar. Crown her Miss Reliable.
The Laid Back Friend: Those classes that you are trying to get into or filling out endless internship applications seems so much less daunting when this person is with you. Lie in the sun, catch up over coffee or stay in and watch a movie. Sometimes it is healthy to just kick back and relax.
The Retail Therapy Friend: A successful shopping trip always does the trick! If you have ever experienced a
high after shopping, you know what I am talking about. This friend is always available for a spur of the moment shopping trip! And think, walking through the mall is a great time to catch up on each others’ lives.
The Sex Advice Friend: Nobody knows all of the secrets. Being able to share dirty little secrets is definitely something only close friends can feel comfortable talking about.
The Party Friend: Make sure this isn’t only a friend-you-only-drink-with friend. Everyone needs someone they can let their hair down with. But be sure that you see, and recognize, her in the daylight too!
The BEST Friend: The person who will be your maid of honor or best man. She leaves a party with you because she doesn’t want you to walk alone. She sits with you in the dining hall, even though she has already eaten dinner. She helps you move out just because you asked. This title can encompass all of the above listed friends. And the best part is, you CAN have multiple best friends.
The Soulmate: I can’t forget that your boyfriend or girlfriend should be considered one of your best friends too!
These are definitely not all of the types of friends out there, and some can be found wrapped up into one person! So, in order to make this year a fresh start, take a look at your friendships and see if they are worth having. Happy friending!
Sources:
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2011/the-five-types-of-friends-everyone-should-get-rid-of/
http://www.utne.com/2001-09-01/The-19-kinds-of-friends.aspx
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2011/09/15/5-types-of-friends-you-dont-need-to-have/
Wagner, Heather. Friend or Faux. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2009.
Photo Sources:
http://www.grouchoreviews.com/content/interviews/101/3.jpg
http://www.thefastertimes.com/loveanddeath/files/2011/12/friends_with_benefits1.jpeg
http://murphyjewelers.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bigstockphoto_Friends_Shopping_4317497.jpg