 Hey Psych2Goers, welcome back to another video. Thank you so much for all the love and support that you've given us, enabling us to make yet another exploration into everyday psychology. So, let's begin, shall we? Are you still looking for the Ann Perkins to your Leslie Knope or the Rory Gilmore to your Lorelai Gilmore? Finding a true friend is hard, that's no secret. We all yearn for a comedian to laugh with, a strong shoulder to cry on, and a locked box with whom you can confide your deepest secrets without judgment. Unconditional love and support may seem like a work of fairy tale fiction, or yet another thing the movies have lied to us about. However, fear not, because deep, long-lasting friendship is possible. Here are 8 points to age you along your journey, whether you have a friend you're wondering is your true friend, or are still looking for one. Number one, they really listen to you. Have you ever felt like the other person is simply waiting for you to finish talking so they can begin? What a true friend doesn't say is, ah shucks, that sucks, but wait until you hear about what happened to me. Or, that's not as bad as what I'm going through. A true friend will know when you need to be the one talking. They offer their sympathies, advice, or a shoulder to cry on, emotional support, or anything else they can. However, they still talk about themselves to you, because after all, it's perfectly fine to do so. Number two, they're honest with you. Have you ever heard the saying, better to be slapped by the truth than caressed by a lie? A very true friend must have coined that. Because that's what they do on a daily basis. Whether it's about something a friend doesn't agree with you on, or something that happened without you knowing, a true friend will tell you regardless. Even if it may be hard to hear, a true friend will know that you deserve to hear the truth. The way they'll tell you varies depending on the person, as some people are blunter, others subtler, but in the end, they will tell you no matter what. Number three, they like you for who you are and respect your boundaries. Have you ever felt someone pushing you too far, too fast? While expanding your horizons and trying new things is a great thing. Some friends may, for example, not want to spend a quiet night in, so they might push you to go out to a party or gathering you don't really want to go to. Opposites may attract, but a true friend won't try to change you to their liking. They'll respect what you want and what you don't want, and they'll respect you as a person overall. After all, each other's comfort levels are one of the biggest things to consider in a friendship. Number four, they'll genuinely support you. Do you ever feel like a friend is secretly jealous of you? They may talk you out of doing things they do under the guise of helping you, or they might not truly be happy for you when good things happen to you. If someone is bringing you down when they should be lifting you up, chances are they aren't really your friend. A true friend will unconditionally love and support you without thinking that should have been me. Number five, they'll be there for you through both good times and bad times. Do your friends feel like they're only there when you're having fun, and it's convenient for them? A true friend will support you, even when it may not be convenient. They won't make you feel bad or like a burden for needing help. Instead, they'll shower you in love and support, which everyone needs from time to time. Number six, they prioritize you and put effort into the friendship. Have your friendships faded away due to different life paths and obligations? For example, you used to be best friends with someone in 10th grade, who you shared a schedule with, but come 11th grade when you ended up with no classes together, you drifted apart. This is especially the case during transitional points in your life, such as a new grade level, school, or job. But with a true friend, even when life may separate you, they'll always make an effort to maintain the friendship and spend time with you. Number seven, they know and remember things about you. Obviously, no one has got super human memory, but a true friend will remember things about you and pick up on your little habits over time. It may even go deeper than little facts, like your pet's name or that you secretly cheated in the 4th grade. Once your friendship grows, a true friend may know more things about you than you remember telling them. And number eight, they don't take advantage of you. Do you have a friend who keeps track of all the things they've done for you to guilt-trip you when they want something, or by pushing your niceness to its limits? We all want to be kind to our friends, but there is a stark difference between being nice and being taken advantage of. If you find yourself doing all the giving in a friendship and it's taking a major toll on you, chances are, you may need to reevaluate your friendship. A true friend will give back to you and be mindful of you, and the friendship will have both an emotional and physical balance. In a world where it seems like everyone is trying to gain something from you, instead of being a real friend, true friends are hard to come by. But don't lose hope, because like most things in life, finding true friends requires work and a little bit of luck. Once you do find one, your friendship is sort of flourish, and they'll make your life unimaginably better. Perhaps a true friend is right around the corner. We hope we were able to give you a little insight into some of the ways you can identify a true friend. Do any of these signs describe your friend? Leave a comment down below about your true friend, or a funny story with them, if you'd like. Please feel free to share any experiences and thoughts you have as well. If you found this video insightful, be sure to hit the like button and share it with those out there still boggled with the trials of finding a true friend. Don't forget to subscribe to Psych2Go and hit the notification bell for more new videos. Thanks for watching.