The boundaries where friendships can blossom are blurred, and budding opportunities are endless. Whether it’s online or offline, new or old, simple or complex, friendships — for many — are fundamental to a healthy self care routine. With this friendship campaign, we’re celebrating budding new friendship, how to be a good friend, and the abundance of possibility in making new friends online! Think of it as a part of your self care routine, nurturing your mental well-being.
Friends can be formed in different ways and look like different things. Paths that cross unexpectedly, turn into the most “meant-to-be” moments. Warmth from friendships can come from deep conversations and comfortable silence in the car or blasting your favourite tunes and popping into the drive-through for ice cream ...cus why not! Friends come and go, while a special few last forever. Over the last few months, we surveyed 1,500 members of the Blume Community to learn their thoughts on all things friendship. Here’s what you told us:
Let's dive deeper into the stats!
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3 in 4 agree that friendship is part of their self care routine and contributes to their mental health and well-being
Friends hold a special place in our hearts because they’re our chosen family. Our friendships constantly change, evolve, and grow with us from childhood into adulthood. These are the people we celebrate our wins with, share learnings with, and do a lot (or nothing) with, simply because we enjoy their company and vibe with their energy. So, why do friendships reflect self care? Time together, digitally or IRL, eases our minds and boosts our mood because we’ve chosen them, and they’ve chosen us! The simple happiness you feel with a friend is enough to justify it.
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70% say their love language is quality time
You might be familiar with The Five Love Languages: acts of service, gifts, touch, words of affirmation and our community favourite, quality time. Living in a time where texting or DMing is so convenient, nothing beats quality time. What do you enjoy doing most with your friend(s)? Making the effort to spend time with a friend outside of class or in and between work, shows the value you hold in this person. When they agree and reciprocate, or extend the effort first, the love language and respect is mutual. Maybe you’re both just done sending the “IMYSM” texts, and it’s time hangout and hug it out.
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90% of you enjoy making new friends
Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, most people enjoy making new friends! Although it may be nerve-wracking at times, it’s probably just some butterflies! What’s cool about friendships is that the limit doesn’t exist. It's a powerful thing to be vulnerable and open to newness. It can be new people or new perspectives, different opinions or shared experiences they bring into your life, new friends can have a lot to offer! In return, you may have a lot to give and contribute as well to a new blossoming friendship.
Making a new friend is always exciting, whether it was expected or not. However, 1 in 2 find it hard to make friends. In fact, Gen Z enjoy making new friends but find it the hardest to form new friendships.
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1 in 5 don’t believe you can find friendship through social media or the internet
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Of those who find it hard to make friends, 60% don’t believe you can find friendship through social media
By now, phones have basically become extensions of our arms and you’d think they’d strengthen our connection to our friends and the rest of the world. But what does this “connection” really mean for nurturing our current friendships and fostering new ones?
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Of those who consider people they’ve lost touch with to still be their friend, 83% agree you can rekindle friendship through social media.
There’s hope! Think of it as a paperless, “how are you?” postcard or even better with a relatable meme. When used appropriately and thoughtfully, social media is there for us to stay connected to our friends in a way like never before. More immediate, more fun. It can be a tool to build and strengthen friendship.
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Of those who share their appreciation for their friends, 70% agree that their friends know how much they mean to them.
So, when was the last time you let a friend know how much they mean to you? Was it an action, a text message, a conversation or something special to your friendship that only you’d understand? While we've got you here, we want to tell you that we love you and appreciate your bluming friendship with us everyday. So, hey! This is our reminder and encouragement to you to show some extra TLC and appreciation to a friend.
Friendships continue to bud throughout life, sometimes at the most unexpected times. You can continue to position yourself to be open to new friends and experiences by keeping an open mind to how they may happen or what that can look like. So much of our time is spent online now, and if done safely, digital friends are awesome too. Head to our Instagram and join a comment thread! Be curious, be vulnerable, and be open to meeting new friends. #BlumeBuds
