July 17, 2020

Four Ways to Be a Good Friend

Keeping up friendships as an adult can be hard! We love our friends, but life can get so busy. Because healthy relationships are so important, take the time to evaluate your friendships and see how you could improve them. Here are four tips on how to be a good friend.

Be Genuinely Interested in and Happy for Them

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you,” wrote Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People . When your friends talk to you, really listen; don’t just wait for your turn to talk. And when they tell you good news, be genuinely happy for them! Listening and being happy for your friends’ successes really help to build a solid relationship.

Proactively Work through Conflict 

Part of being human is occasionally butting heads even with the people we care about most! Rather than seeing conflict as a sign of a doomed relationship, see it as a normal part of friendship, and work proactively to solve it. A couple of conflict resolution tips include the following:

  • Don’t blame or accuse your friend.
  • Focus on the conflict, not your anger.
  • Explore the contributing issues.
  • Accept that your friend’s perspective is different—not wrong.
  • Be ready to apologize and forgive.

Share Your Feelings

An important, but sometimes difficult, part of building relationships is being honest and vulnerable . When you are going through something difficult, don’t hesitate to reach out to your close friends and tell them how you’re feeling. Ask if they would be willing to share how they got through a similar, difficult time. When you talk about the stuff that really matters, you’re better able to rely on each other and even have more fun during lighter conversations.

Understand and Respect Boundaries

“Setting clear personal boundaries is the key to ensuring relationships are mutually respectful, supportive and caring,” says Jane Collingwood at Psych Central. “Boundaries are a measure of self-esteem. They set the limits for acceptable behavior from those around you, determining whether they feel able to put you down, make fun, or take advantage of your good nature.”

Your friends are, of course, wonderful people, but be careful not to rely on them too much or assume you know how they’re feeling. If they’re helping you with a big project, be sure to check in with them and make sure they aren’t burned out. And allow them their space when they need it. When your friendship has good boundaries, you’re both able to feel more respected and comfortable around each other.

If you’re wondering how to be a good friend, start by working through conflict, sharing your feelings, and respecting boundaries. Try implementing one of these tips today to make your important friendships even better!

Improve Your VIP Experience: Flexible Ways to Pay Rent and Build Credit at Countrywood

April 15, 2026
At  Counrtywood Apartments  , we are committed to providing our VIPs with the best tools to manage their apartment homes effortlessly. We want to highlight the various ways you can handle your monthly rent, including some exciting benefits that help you build your financial future just by living with us. 1. The AppFolio Resident Portal Ap p The easiest way to manage your living experience is through the AppFolio app. It is a one-stop shop for your most frequent needs: Convenient Payments: Set up one-time or automatic payments using a bank account (e-check), credit card, or debit card. Split Payments with Flex: We have integrated Flex directly into your AppFolio app. This service allows you to split your rent into two payments throughout the month. Flex pays your rent to us in full and on time, while you pay them back on a schedule that fits your cash flow. Full Transparency: View your current balance, previous statements, and full payment history anytime. 2. Build Your Credit for Free with Pinat a Your consistent rent payments should work for you. We are proud to offer Free Positive Rent Payment Reporting to major credit bureaus through our partner, Pinata. How it works: You will receive an email invitation from Pinata to sign up for this service. Once you are enrolled, your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus. The Benefit: This helps you build your credit score over time without any extra cost. It is our way of rewarding your reliability and helping you reach your long-term financial goals. (Please note: we do not utilize any resident reward or marketplace features through Pinata; this service is strictly for your credit reporting benefit.) 3. More Ways the App Helps You Beyond payments, the AppFolio app remains your primary tool for staying connected with our Redlands community. You can: Submit Maintenance Requests: Easily upload photos and descriptions of any needed repairs. Manage Renter's Insurance: Access your policy or update your provider details. Stay Informed: Contact the office via text or phone, update your contact preferences, and access your lease documents. At  Counrtywood Apartments  , we treat every resident like a VIP. Whether you are looking for more flexibility with Flex or looking to boost your credit score through Pinata, we are here to support your lifestyle.

Moving to Redlands, CA? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

By Marketing - • March 14, 2024
Redlands, California, is a city located in the heart of San Bernardino Valley, surrounded by the natural beauty of some of California's highest mountain peaks and largest forests. However, Redlands isn't far away from some of California's largest cities. It’s only 60 miles away from Los Angeles and even closer to San Bernardino and Anaheim.  Redlands got its name from the red-adobe-colored soil of the region. The iron-rich and rocky soil is perfect for citrus trees, but many other crops struggle to grow. This is why, since its beginning, Redlands has been home to a large number of orange groves dating all the way back to 1882 when the first grove was planted. If you're thinking about moving to Redlands, CA, or are just interested in learning more, we've put together a helpful guide that will explain everything you need to know about this beautiful city we call home.
city decorated for christmas

Your Guide to Holiday Gifts and Activities in Redlands

November 15, 2023
After a long year of school, work, and challenges, it’s so nice to have the holidays to look forward to. Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, get ready for Christmas in Redlands by reading our guide.