Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav
Community /

Friendship Support Forum

Info
2,058 Friends
Filter by Topic
Community Space Friendship
Community calendar
Group chat
Ask questions, get support and make friends
Find a group chat
My communities
Considering Therapy?
Talk to an expert therapist
New subscribers
Create a New Thread
Gif Photo Link
kabir22 profile picture
How to Make Friends After Bullying – Yep, It’s Possible! 🫶
by kabir22
Last post
 November 16th, 2024
...See more Hey lovely people! 🌟 Okay, let's be real for a second—making friends after being bullied can feel like climbing a mountain in flip-flops. 🩴 It’s tough, and sometimes you wonder if you’ll ever reach the top. But guess what? You can, and you will. I’ve got your back with some tips to help you navigate this journey. Let’s dive in, shall we? 1. Start with Self-Acceptance (You’re Amazing, Period) Easier said than done, right? But honestly, you’ve been through something tough, and you owe yourself a bit of love. Take a moment to look in the mirror and say, “I’m worth knowing. I’m worth loving.” Because you are. Spend time doing the things that make you feel you. Whether it’s reading, painting, or watching that same sitcom for the tenth time—do it unapologetically. 2. Find Your Tribe (Safe Spaces, Anyone?) I’m talking about those places where you walk in, and nobody expects you to be anything other than yourself. Maybe it’s a local book club, a hiking group, or an online community where you can geek out about your favorite show. Shared interests make it so much easier to start conversations without all that pressure of impressing someone. Trust me, finding your tribe makes all the difference. 3. Talk About the Little Things (Big Things Come Later) You don't have to start with a TED Talk about your life. Try simple stuff like, “Hey, do you like pineapple on pizza?” 🍍🍕(And if they say yes, well, you’ve just found someone with impeccable taste.) Building friendships can start with these small, light-hearted conversations. 4. Be Honest (But No Need to Spill the Beans Right Away) It’s okay to let people in, but only when you feel comfortable. You don’t owe anyone your whole story, but sharing bits and pieces when you’re ready can help build real connections. It’s like slowly peeling back layers of an onion… except without the tears (hopefully). 5. Set Boundaries Like a Boss 🛑 Listen, you’ve already been through enough. It’s perfectly fine to have boundaries and to stick to them. If you’re not comfortable talking about something, say so. Real friends will respect that, and if they don’t, well, they’re probably not worth the energy. You deserve people who make you feel safe and respected. 6. Explore the Digital Universe (Making Friends Has Never Been So Wi-Fi Friendly) 📱 Online communities can be a lifesaver when meeting people face-to-face feels like scaling Everest. Whether it’s joining a fandom, gaming group, or a forum for your favorite hobby, there’s a whole world out there ready to welcome you with open arms (or, you know, enthusiastic emojis 🤗). 7. Be Kind, Be Yourself, and Be a Little Weird (Seriously, It’s the Best Combo) The most beautiful friendships are built on authenticity. Don’t hide the parts of yourself that you think are “too much” or “too weird.” Love binge-watching cat videos at 2 a.m.? Great. Enjoy talking to your plants? Awesome. The right people will find your quirks endearing, I promise. 8. Remember That Not Everyone’s a Jerk (I Promise) It’s easy to put up walls when you’ve been hurt, but not everyone’s out to break them down. Some people genuinely want to know the real you. Give them a chance—but keep that protective armor handy, just in case. ⚔️ 9. Patience, Grasshopper 🐛 You’re not going to become best friends with someone overnight, and that’s completely okay. Relationships take time to build. Every time you put yourself out there, even if it’s just a little “hello,” you’re making progress. Celebrate those small wins—they matter more than you think. You’ve Got This! 🌈 You’re more than the stuff you’ve been through. You’re resilient, you’re strong, and there’s a world of potential friends out there just waiting to meet you. So take a deep breath, put on that brave face (even if it’s a little wobbly today), and remember—you’re not alone in this journey. We’ve got your back. 💪 Anyone else got tips, stories, or a good pineapple pizza debate to share? 🍍🍕 Let’s hear them! Your voice matters, and who knows, you might just find a friend right here. 💛 ------------------------- Tagging some so this can be used as reference whenever needed - @Hope @ASilentObserver @MelodyoftheOcean @Heartsandrosesandpaws @SparkyGizmo @Sunisshiningandsoareyou @coolvibes @Boon4U
tommy profile picture
Friendship Support Automated Taglist!
by tommy
Last post
 March 19th, 2024
...See more Welcome to the Friendship Support Taglist This thread is an auto-updating list. The list is regularly updated by forum leaders and can be found below. Having issues? Reply below and someone will help you! Why should I join the taglist? ✔ Never miss out on sub-community check-ins, discussions or events ✔ Get tagged and notified by community leaders whenever a new relevant thread has been posted ✔ Become a more active member of the community. What do I need to do? ✅ To add yourself to this taglist, press the Post to Thread button below and write the exact words Please add me. ❌ To remove yourself from this taglist, press the Post to Thread button below and write the exact words Please remove me. ------------------------- Current taglist as of 9 August 2024 (updated by @tommy) @AnimalLover2006 @Bella20 @braveFig6308 @dapperLunch1747 @daydreammemories @Gettingbettertoday @HarmonyBlossom @LucyGray1799 @Ninahdy @OakSerenity @politePeach9642 @raspberry563 @reginalistener18 @spectacularApricot7089 @tidyCurrent1882 @tommy
SoulfullyAButterfly profile picture
Systemic Psychotherapy for Friendship Support
by SoulfullyAButterfly
Last post
 January 23rd, 2024
...See more Are you interested in improving your relationships, understanding yourself better, and developing new skills? If yes, you may be eligible to participate in our study. What is Systemic Therapy? Systemic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on relationships between people and the patterns of interaction within the systems that impact the well-being of the individuals within the system. Healthy systems are encouraged by seeking balance within the system, as well as working on the roles and relationships involved. What is the Purpose of This Study? The purpose of this study is to explore how systemic psychotherapy-informed growth paths and listener training can help people to achieve personal growth and positive change. We want to understand how participating in the growth path or listener training can affect your relationships, thoughts, behaviour, and feelings, and how your past experiences influence your current patterns, behaviour, and relationships. What Are the Benefits of Participating? By participating in this study, you will: * Learn more about systemic therapy and how it can help you improve your relationships and well-being * Gain insights into your own patterns, behaviour, and feelings, and how they are influenced by your past and present experiences * Develop new skills and techniques * Contribute to research by answering questionnaires How Can You Sign Up? If you are interested in participating in this study, please read the full advertisement and sign-up form here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/siteupdates/SoulfullyAButterflysContentGarden_2136/ResearchParticipationOpportunitySystemicPsychotherapyinformedGrowthPathandListenerTraining_311588/]. We will contact you to confirm your eligibility and provide you with more information. Hurry up, as we have limited time available to participate in this research opportunity!
Kojosly64 profile picture
Hi
by Kojosly64
Last post
 10 minutes ago
...See more Hi all, I am new here and still trying to navigate my way around
LadyB14 profile picture
Lift others.
by LadyB14
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more You gain nothing from pulling down anyone's emotional strength. Rather you make your self a villain
determinedSea4370 profile picture
I used the enneagram to finally figure out what went wrong!
by determinedSea4370
Last post
 Saturday
...See more Okay, so I basically have a best friend who I have come to realize over the past few years is VERY different from me. Since we both seem to be creative, passionate, and eccentric types, I had assumed she must think and feel just like me- so when I continued to come away from our hangouts feeling anxious and frustrated, I couldn't figure it out.  Our last hangout in early December before she ghosted me went like this: I was in my feels, nostalgic ipod songs playing in my ears as I walked alone through the woods that morning- I walked for hours. I found an abandoned photograph in the woods and was enthralled at the art and mystery of it. I drove to pick her up from her house at noon to take her to her therapy and that felt good- to do something so meaningful for her. We sung along with songs I deeply related to on the way there. I sat and sketched the mysterious photograph in my sketchbook while she got her therapy. I was feeling pretty good and satisfied so far. Then, she wanted to go shopping- she always wanted to go shopping. I agreed and wondered why she was so uninterested in the abandoned photograph. I didn't understand why she was talking about the pink scrunchie she wanted to get for her friend. I didn't understand how she didn't want to talk about the trauma I had helped her through the other week or how the therapy session had just went. It was like she was pretending none of her problems had ever happened and I was confused- as I usually was. We shopped at a makeup shop and then visited a cookie shop and then a perfume shop and then a book shop and then she wanted me to drive her to some crafts stores so she could make more gifts for her friends and I just imploded. I needed realness, I needed pain, I needed something more than glittery optimism and consumerism and distraction. I tried to explain how dystopian the world suddenly seemed to me, but of course she didn't get it- she was confused, but she just rolled with it. She tried to make a point about how she understood me in the car, but she vastly oversimplified and misunderstood me instead all the while trying to keep the mood light with music. I hated how I had failed her and how she had made me feel- because she means so much to me I can hardly stand it- so after a week of no texts from her, I thought maybe I could fix things by being more assertive about what I wanted- I don't like shopping, but I like museums and cafes and galleries and parks. I felt selfish and dumb asserting myself, but I felt like it needed to be done, because I felt like it was obvious that she didn't actually understand my needs as well as she thought she did. She hasn't responded since. This whole incident has been causing my mental health to take an absolute nose dive- it was the whole reason I felt the need to try 7cups in the first place.  But, recently I've been exploring the enneagram. I liked exploring mbti when I was younger and found it helpful, so I decided to try this too- and somehow found the enneagram to be more painfully accurate and insightful than mbti. I typed myself as a 4w5. Then, tonight, I realized that my friend is not actually another type 4, like me, but a type 7w6. As a type 4, I revel in the deep and dramatic. I don't fill the hole inside me, but rather I flaunt it as part of something that makes me unique. 7s, on the other hand, RUN from pain. They get anxious about having to dig down deep and would much rather escape into distraction and optimism and materialism. Instead of glorifying the hole inside them, 7s do the opposite of 4s- they try to stuff it with bright shiny things. They never want to feel bored or in want. So, while I can't help but ruminate, she can't help but run away. I had previously been trying to use enneagram to make sense of her, but holy CRAP, this is ridiculously accurate.  As I learn more about 4s and 7s, I hope to then gain insight into how to better make it work when we are obviously both stressed out. She didn't choose to have the opposite coping mechanism from me and I can't let myself judge her so harshly. I've also got to realize that my obsession with the deep and dark all the time isn't the best coping mechanism either. I desperately want to find a middle ground for us so that we can both be healthy together.  I wish I hadn't sent her that text explaining what my likes and dislikes are, because now I think she took it as a rejection of her. I wish I had instead waited until today and then sent her a text eager to share insights I had about how I understood her in new ways.  Anyways, have any of your tried to use mbti and/or enneagram to better understand yourself and the ones you love?
ZeroFizz profile picture
For amy
by ZeroFizz
Last post
 Friday
...See more @AmyMimy2711 hii just thought we can talk here instead cuz other place got taken over! Hru? What have u beeen ip too?
enthusiasticLion1523 profile picture
Trying to make friends
by enthusiasticLion1523
Last post
 Friday
...See more Hi, I'm still new to this platform and I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I'm looking for a friend. I'm currently taking a year off of college because of mental illness, and I'm alone all by myself at home. I want to make new friends, I think chatting with people and having friends around will help me through the loneliness and recover better. However, I'm autistic and I feel really insecure about social interactions, I've tried to start conversations with strangers but it didn't go very well. Sometimes I feel like I'm very bad at communicating with people. By making this post, I hope I can make some friends here, if you don't mind me being a bit weird, I just want to have someone I can chat with, and also have some fun or do things together. I listen to a lot of music and I also play games. I'm also down if u just have something u want to share. Let me know if u want to be friends with me:)
oliveSailboat9838 profile picture
My friendship with my best friend changed
by oliveSailboat9838
Last post
 Thursday
...See more We're been best friends since years. It all started with writting, and our common interest in books. Little by little, we became a trio of three friends, one younger than us. When we were younger, we used to play together and do montages, but now we barely see each other. She was always interested in popularity, and hurt me before for being friend with my enemy, a girl who I hated. She doesn't know how to say no, and now when we only have one class in common, she always talks to a girl that bullied me before. She's super annoying and says weird stuff about me, and she still sits next to her. Because she wanted to be nice? She tells me she doesn't dislike anybody , which to me doesn't make sense. I feel like she doesn't understand me, our conversations are always small talks. I talked to her about the girl, and said I couldn't be friend with a girl that likes people that hurt me. She said she didn't like her, but our conversations are always cut by this girl. I feel like we don't have the same vibe as we did before.
Amymimy2711 profile picture
Chat to talk and grow together
by Amymimy2711
Last post
 Thursday
...See more @ZeroFizz let’s use this space to talk about stuff that’s happening in our lives right now and call it “growing”, to get better and heal together talk about what’s bothering us…etc, let me know if I did it right 😩
acbetan profile picture
Lost my best friend
by acbetan
Last post
 Wednesday
...See more I made my first real friend a few years back. She understood me in a way nobody had, but last year she started drifting away. I didn’t give it much thought because— college, you know? It keeps everyone busy. Plus, we live in different countries now. Except it started feeling one sided. I always texted, I always called, I always reached out. I tried explaining my feelings, and although she understood, she did nothing about it. I felt desperate and sort of pathetic to be the only one caring for our friendship, but I also felt like I owed her that since she’d been there for me at my lowest. But then she came back home for the holidays and made a bunch of promises to hang out… right before ghosting me. For 2 weeks. Once she decided to return my messages, she was already returning to her university. She didn’t bother to apologize, call, or even say goodbye. She just left. And that was my last straw. Clearly, we are not friends anymore and it hurts more than I’d like. I feel stupid, foolish and embarrassed to have ever cared for someone who’d ultimately abandon me so carelessly
funnyNectarine4604 profile picture
Sex adict
by funnyNectarine4604
Last post
 Wednesday
...See more How can I heal my addiction to pretend that I'm ***. I'm writing with men. Play the role send pictures videos even go meet them sometime but when I meet him I freeze I can't . I force myself sometimes but I don't enjoy it. But when I talk about it I'm so exited I imagine it having dirty naughty sex with strange man and than... Freeze. And is crazy is driving me nuts I need to release my phantasies but I can't I have some kind of block so I try again and again and what happens isy pictures and videos and messages got leaked by some shity guy out these so everyone now see me like that . None know that I just talk and try but I can't. What should do should I go some sex party and release it all there and maybe I will be fine again because I can't just tblock it in me. I have big sexual energy and I don't know how to let it out. Also men are now these using female sexuality as a tool to attack and I been attacked emotionally soany times like I'm a criminal, it makes it even harder to let go and do it. It make me even hateen to be honest because they create such a big pain in my chest for someting what is so natural to humans like eating. The same think..I feel like if I was just eating air and using my *** to give birth than I won't be attacked by males and the fact that we create males make it even harder to forgive them because they are here thanks to our *** . What is this world about? I don't get it. I can't releasey sexuality freely. Is a living *** torture here on planet earth.
liageranium profile picture
I lost my friends due to my mental health
by liageranium
Last post
 Wednesday
...See more Hello there, I usually don’t do this kind of stuff but I really am in a tough spot and I feel very ashamed. I recently lost my online friend group due to suicidal and mental health behavior. I feel incredibly guilty because I freaked out over a small issue after having a bad day and this caused my friends to put me in “timeout”. They expressed to me that my health has made them guilty and fearful of what I’d do to myself and it’s true, I had 3 attempts in November and they had to deal with it. They also commented how I’ve made them feel forced into a support system. I feel incredibly guilty because I truly didn’t mean for this to happen. They told me if I’m truly sorry they need to see some real changes and get professional help. I did have a therapist until she moved away, and I am very fearful. I really want my friends back and I want to be a better friend and person, my doomer mindset has consumed me and now I’m afraid and even more distrustful of people. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced something like this too? What steps can I take to be a better friend? How can I prove to them that I’ll try to pick up the pieces again? I want to clarify I don’t expect people to know what to do or say in this situation but if anyone has gone through something similar, I’d really like some advice and some tips? Once more, I don’t expect people to help me out or give me an answer. I just miss my friends and I want them back. thank you for reading, I appreciate it <3
wittyCup1970 profile picture
I'm introvert?
by wittyCup1970
Last post
 Wednesday
...See more Hai !me avocado 🥑,(u can call) i need friendy people me looking for some friends
creativeBeechwood6655 profile picture
People run away from me
by creativeBeechwood6655
Last post
 Wednesday
...See more I don't know were to start. I'm turning 25 and I have zero real friend I feel like people run away from me , I'm so sad of being alone all the time . And also I'm so scared of ending up alone for the rest of my life. My problem with making friends has been there all of my life, I always have a problem with making friends i don't even know we're to start , but I will try to share some stuff. In school people will never consider me in any groups I'm always there last option, no one ever wanted me. In college just the same, but a little worst, people would laugh at me when they see me and never want to speak with me. I spend all years of college without a single friend. I feel ashamed of myself for who I am, I feel like I want to stay at home and never get out. I don't know what's wrong with me but every time i met a new person I wish to be friends with him but it never happens, i don't why i can't stop hoping I'm tired of it but really can stop.

Friendship Support

Welcome to Friendship Support! Friendship is a wonderful thing and here is a place you can celebrate it. Whether you want to share your successful friendships or discuss the relationships which aren’t going so well, this is the place for you. We are a relatively new community so please do not hesitate to reach out to a leader if you have any suggestions or feedback.


What are the different forum topics for Friendship Support?

Community Space: A place for introductions, icebreakers, games, community check-ins and discussions.

Friendship: A place for you to discuss all things related to friendships.


How can I help?

You can help us by simply responding to threads and sharing your story (if you're comfortable). Check-in with us, join a discussion, or start one! Alternatively, you can join us as a Forum Leader. Check out this thread for more information.


Helpful Threads

Taglist: Do you want to stay up to date with our community? Then join our tag list to be notified whenever there is a new discussion or update within the community!


Friendship Support FAQ

Q: Are there any sub-community-specific guidelines that we need to adhere to?

A: You can find Sub-community-specific guidelines below, which you should follow in addition to the general forum guidelines.


Help! I still have a question! 

If you need help, feel free to contact a community leader or post here, and someone will contact you!