I have recently experienced a difficult few months both on an emotional and physical level. I like everyone else find that difficult times can be both stressful and draining on all fronts.

My family and a small handful of friends have been extremely supportive, this has helped me enormously and frankly at times, I don’t know what I would have done without that support.

I felt it important to write this blog as I want to stress to people the importance of support in friendships, it’s imperative and so vital for both parties. I have spoken to several of my friends who have said things like “I didn’t want to appear nosey” or “I didn’t want to upset you so thought I would wait until you contacted me”.

How many of us say “you know where I am”! The problem is when people are going through difficult times, they almost certainly will not call on friends or family, they are to busy struggling to deal with the problems in hand.

I can almost guarantee that they will not call you to say, “can you help and support me?” It just won’t happen therefore, it’s largely a waste of breath to say these things. Don’t worry, I have said it too!

So, what might be helpful in supporting a friend?

Drop your friend a text or message every few days or at least once a week. It doesn’t matter that they may not want to meet with you, what is important is that they know YOU CARE! This is such a supportive thing to do, it’s not ‘being nosey’ it is being a supportive friend.

So, the next time you know a friend is going through a difficult patch in their lives, don’t wait for them to contact you as the chances are they won’t!

Reach out and text, it’s so simple these days and takes seconds! We all have a few seconds to spare in a week…..surely?

Go on…………reach out!