While that may seem like a small gesture, Atkinson explains, “this intentional act mistakenly gives us the importance and values within the trio, what everyone feels equally important.”
2. Invest in individual relationships within the trio.
According to Dr. Bradford, the trio should consist of three separate duos. In other words, “every member must have their own relationship with each other,” she says. This means that if there’s no one person, the other two can be clicked without feeling nasty or coercive. Otherwise, the atmosphere quickly changes to ignorance and imbalance, resembling a convenient “friendship” rather than a genuine connection.
This isn’t to say you should always be secretly paired, but it’s helpful to remember that just because you’re getting along doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it personally. Of course, “If the entire group is gathered together, you still need instances,” Dr. Bradford points out. “But you’re going to be around each and every one of you and be excited while having an equally amazing time.”
So, it’s worth chopting your own bond, even if you and your friend #1 are inseparable, as college or friend #3 is a new addition from work. You don’t have to be equally close, but maybe #3 is your charm to find the bar of celebrity gossip and the best hidden gems. The key is not to rely on one person and hold them together, but to build individual connections that strengthen the entire crew.
3. Include everyone in group decisions – even for small things.
If there is one skill that can make or break the trio’s friendship, it is communication. “Everyone needs to be open to their emotions, emotions and needs,” says Atkinson. “And it involves dealing with conflict as “we”” – this is much more difficult than it thinks. Compared to the two, she explains, “it’s more likely that someone will feel like a strange person in the trio, as if they’re going to zero or caught in the middle.”
At the same time, avoiding conflict is not the answer. Like any other relationship, unresolved tensions can brew responsively, and even worse, lead to conversations on the side with other friends who resemble toxic shit rather than problem solving (“Hmm, can you believe it? [insert name] did [insert mildly annoying behavior]? ”).
so what I’ll do it Does healthy communication look like a trio? According to Atkinson, that’s about dealing with minor issues before they become spiral. It was, “To be honest, I felt left out when I wasn’t invited to drink last week,” or “I just realized I was usually reaching out first.”
On the other hand, strong communication means open-minded listening. Decide your peers to be defensive, form partners, and express how they feel. Experts say these tricks can distract conversations from responsibility or side picking. That said, if your attempts at transparency are constantly filled with defense, layoffs, or gossip behind your back, your trio may not be as balanced (or healthy) as they should be, Dr. Bradford says.
So what happens if your trio’s friendship breaks apart?
It happens more frequently than you think. Whether two people click, one PAL starts to pull apart, or all three stop trying, the dynamics can change intentionally or unintentionally.
In such cases, both experts agree. You don’t have to force a declining friendship, and you are not expected to contribute to group chat 24/7 like you did back then. However, a kind approach to end your threesome may involve subtly bowing from the plan rather than falling into the actions and ghosts of the clergy (perhaps by saying you are not available or busy). If you prefer slow drifting, try maintaining less effort, for example, for a monthly or quarterly dinner with fewer frequencies.
As dramatically as they unfold on television and social media, the trio’s friendship is certainly some of the most complicated relationships. But what you can distinguish between being challenging and when things are straight and unhealthy can prevent you from spiraling into small drama or sleazy backstabs.
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