Image: Photo by Elle Hughes from Pexels
Collaborative Post¦ Life can be hard sometimes. Lost jobs, failed exams, plans falling through and relationship dramas- we all experience these things from time to time. While every hardship we go through is a way we can learn and improve ourselves, when you’re in that moment it can feel very much like life is crashing down around you. Sometimes, the best gestures are when friends step up and do something small- just to show they care. Knowing that you have support really can make everything so much better, and so if your friend is currently struggling with something difficult then it’s a great opportunity for you to show them how loved they really are. Here are a few simple ideas for going about it.
Cook them a meal
Preparing your friends favourite food and sitting with them to eat is a really nice way to show that you’re there for them. Pour a glass of wine, put on some music to create a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy an hour spent together eating a tasty meal. During times of stress it’s easy to neglect yourself by skipping meals, so this could be just what they need. Invite them to your house, or bring a bag of ingredients and take it to theirs to cook for them.
Send them flowers
There’s a reason we love flowers. Looking at flowers actually triggers ‘reward’ centres in the brain, likely stemming back from our ancestry (flowers were a sign of a successful planting harvest). If you want to cheer someone up then sending flowers is a great way to do so. Pick up a bunch from your local florist, or try a service like Fig & Bloom. Even if you’re on a budget, cheap bouquets can be picked from supermarkets or you could even pick your own wildflower bunch and tie it up with twine.
Make something for them
Giving someone a gift is a great way to show you care, but making something yourself takes it a step further. Knowing someone has gone to the effort of creating something just for you is truly heartwarming. You could bake some homemade cakes or cookies, knit them a scarf, make them a piece of jewellery or design a print or piece of art. Wrap it up in pretty paper or a gift bag and hand it to them with a card or handwritten note explaining why you’ve made it and that you’re there for them in their time of need.
How would you show your friend that you care for them during a time of need? What’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for you?
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.