The One Thing That Matters Most in a Friend (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Loyalty)

Daily writing prompt

What quality do you value most in a friend?

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Let’s be honest. We’ve all had that one friend who was the life of the party—until they ghosted you the moment you needed someone to bring soup and sarcasm after a breakup. Or the friend who “tells it like it is” (translation: casually soul-crushing) under the guise of honesty. And then there’s that magical unicorn of a human who simply gets you—no pretenses, no performance, just presence.

For me, the most valued quality in a friend isn’t loyalty. It isn’t honesty. It isn’t even sharing my love of late-night lattes and emotionally-charged playlist curation.

It’s emotional availability.

Yes. That underrated, often misunderstood ability to be present, not just physically, but emotionally. To listen without trying to fix. To validate without judgment. To hold space, even when words feel insufficient.

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Emotional availability isn’t just about answering texts or being there for girls’ night. It’s about showing up when things get messy. When I’m unraveling and all I can offer is silence and maybe a Pinterest quote about existential dread. It’s the friend who says, “I don’t have the words, but I’m here. Do you want tacos or tequila?”

That, my friends, is friendship gold.

Because when you’ve been the strong one for too long, when you’ve poured into everyone else’s cup until you’re sipping on dust, you need people who know how to sit with your pain without trying to label it or repackage it into something more palatable.

You need people who don’t flinch when you fall apart.

So yes, give me the emotionally available friends. The ones who can handle the silence, the ugly cries, the tangled monologues. The ones who send a meme and ask how your heart is. The ones who understand that showing up isn’t always loud—it’s often just consistent.

And if they also bring snacks? Well, that’s bonus bestie material.

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💬 What do you value most in a friend? Tell me below—or better yet, share this post with your person and remind them why they’re your ride-or-die.

✨ P.S. If you’re exploring what genuine connection means to you, visit our Self-Care Tip of the Day archive for little ways to show up for yourself like your own best friend.

Dorey Duncan Scott Senior Litigation Paralegal

Hi! I’m Dorey Duncan Scott, a mother of three, wife and fashion entrepreneur. I started my career in fashion back in the early 90’s when I did print, still and runway modeling. I studied Fashion Merchandising, Music Business and Marketing, while also obtaining certificates in such industry-necessary areas such as make-up, styling and runway choreography. In addition, I had work as a spokesmodel for several brands, appearing in print and in person. As a former model, turned senior litigation paralegal, artist manager and on-air personality with a passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development, I bring a unique combination of style, strategic thinking, and legal expertise to my work. My years navigating the legal world have sharpened my attention to detail, while my experience and passion for fashion, beauty, and personal development drives my desire to help others feel empowered and help them in their journey toward self-empowerment. My experience in the fashion world has taught me the power of confidence. 

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