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Be a Good Friend When Someone’s Having a Bad Day
Like my friend did for me — the comforting power of a genuine connection!
I recently read a great post by my friend B.R. Shenoy, The Power of a 5-Minute Phone Call, which talked about the importance of staying connected with loved ones through short, simple check-ins, no matter how hectic life gets.
It’s been a tough week. I caught the flu and my left eye got inflamed. It wouldn’t go down and I found myself at the doctor’s again. As he advised me to take time off screens, I wanted to explain what writing has given me.
Not in monetary terms, but a caring partner, a supportive community, and close friends who don’t hesitate to help when I reach out.
True to her article, B (my affectionate nickname for BR Shenoy) called me. I just needed to vent, and she gave me the space to do that. She listened without interrupting, offering advice, or being patronizing—just understanding and empathizing.
We began writing around the same time and discussed how rarely people talk about the downsides of online writing. We’ve both given so much to it, working tirelessly as editors without pay, often on the verge of burnout.
It’s not because we’re disgruntled, but because we’re passionate. Often, the work we pour in goes unnoticed or unappreciated. But she understood my frustrations and by the end of the conversation, I gained more clarity about my thoughts and the direction I needed to take to feel better.
I’m grateful for friends like B, who have been unwavering in their support and make time for regular check-ins. I’m also thankful for the friends who reached out when they found out I wasn’t feeling well.
I understand everyone is busy, hence the need to be mindful about where, what, or in whom we invest our energy. But in the rush to achieve goals and check things off our list, I wonder if we’ve become too selective about who we want to connect with.
Do we consider calling a friend a priority or do we treat them as someone who can wait? Do we still care about their well-being if they’re not offering us something in return or we don’t really know them well?
Sometimes, a kind word, an uplifting comment, or a simple phone call can brighten someone’s day in ways we may never fully realize.
In the rush of our daily lives, it’s easy to forget to prioritize our relationships as much as we should. Are you making enough time for the people important to you — both online and in real life?
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