7 effective tips to maintain healthy bonds and keep friendship rivalry at bay

A friendship is the most valuable and profound connection one can have in life. Friends support and encourage you when you accomplish significant goals, stay by your side no matter what, and listen to you during difficult times. The degree of association between two people can be significantly impacted by friendship rivalry. It may cause them to become very resentful of one another and start fights.

Psychologist and mental health professional Dr Arvind Otta, stated, “These bonds also have their hidden seams, and sometimes, a wave of competition spoils the nuances of these relationships.”

In order to satisfy the need to prove their worth, some people compete. This can be shown in behaviors like arrogantly boasting about one’s accomplishments or continuously looking for approval, according to Dr. Otta. In extreme cases, the person may even “deliberately discredit someone’s success to make themselves more valuable.”

Dr Otta adds, “A competitive friend may be hard to handle but establishing healthy limits can make your bond stronger and help you to be free from unnecessary stress.”

Tips to upkeep with competitiveness in friendship  

Clear boundaries and open communication

Use “I” statements to convey your needs, wants, and feelings throughout this discourse so that no one is harmed. You both need to be aware of what is appropriate and inappropriate in your friendship.

Resoluteness

Setting and upholding limits is crucial, but so is showing your friend enough respect. When faced with obstacles, don’t give up or become irrationally upset; instead, stick to your convictions. Instead of yelling, argue your requirements while simultaneously supporting your friend’s viewpoint in a forceful and kind manner.

Mutual development and assistance

Promote healthy rivalry that drives both you and your friend to advance and achieve success. Establish a loving atmosphere and help one another out when bad things happen.

Be mindful of their viewpoint

In order to foster empathy and comprehension for your friend’s competitive behavior, you must raise their sense of self-worth by recognizing their emotions and offering explanations for their actions. By actively listening to others and identifying the underlying reasons of these situations, conflicts arising from competing interests can be settled.

Put teamwork ahead of competition

It is essential to recast a friendship from one focused on rivalry to one based on cooperation and mutual assistance. This could be achieved by promoting cooperation, setting common objectives, or reducing rivalry.

Set a good example and promote introspection

Set an example of the kind of behavior you want to see in your friend. Show kindness, encourage your friend’s professional endeavors, and genuinely care about their achievement.

Regular evaluation and self-care

Establishing and reviewing limits and providing clear explanations of them will empower you and improve the effectiveness of your interactions.

“Understand your boundaries and be willing to let go of the relationship if it turns out too unhealthy, even when you have made attempts to put up acceptable boundaries,” suggests Dr Otta.