As I embark on this journey of Finding Joy perhaps the greatest source of joy is the time I spend with my group of friends. As someone without siblings or children it’s these friendships that hold a special place in my heart. My friends mean Everything to me.
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These connections have been the catalyst for my blogging journey, highlighting the bonds I’ve nurtured with my friends…friends I’ve known since elementary school and the strong friendships forged after college, which have lasted for close to 30 years.
Something I value in these friendships is how they have evolved over the years. As adults, we go through significant phases of growth. Genuine friends are there to witness and support this growth.
The Longevity of Friendships
Over the years, I’ve often had colleagues express their amazement and the depth and longevity of my friendships. It’s true; many people struggle to develop and maintain such enduring relationships as adults. These friendships are unique because they have truly weathered all that life has thrown at me.
The bonds we form with our friends shape our experiences, provide comfort when we need them most, and they offer a sense of belonging to something special. However, once we hit adulthood establishing these strong, meaningful friendships becomes increasingly challenging…especially for women!
Challenges of Building Friendships as an Adult
As we transition into adulthood, the demands of careers, families and hectic schedules often take precedence, leaving little time for making new friends. Furthermore, those demands can put strains on existing friendships too.
This creates a common problem…how do women cultivate and sustain true friendships as adults? It was so easy to form friendships as a kid and make strong connections. That same ease continued in college when there was opportunity to meet and bond with people in so many different ways.
But once true adulthood sets in the opportunities to make lasting friendships become more limited. Especially as our social circles may change with life transitions, making and maintaining friendships becomes difficult.
As many of us are now nearing the next phase of adulthood, having meaningful friendships is crucial. With our careers beginning to wind down, having your tribe, your ride or die, becomes increasingly more important than ever before.
Prioritizing your Friendships
Sustaining friendships as adults requires effort and communication. Make a conscious effort to check in with your friends regularly. Even if it’s something as simple as a text message, communication is key. Celebrate milestones and the just because moments. Be there for each other during challenging times too.
Plan regular Girl’s Night In or Out events with your friends. Do you share a love of travel? A Weekend Escape or vacations together are amazing ways to spend time with your friends. This year the blog is going to focus on ways to celebrate our friendships.
Be Your Authentic Self
Building meaningful relationships sometimes requires vulnerability and authenticity. Be open to sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences with your friends.
What better way to bond than by opening up to your friends and allowing them to do the same. Let’s be honest…there are numerous changes that will happen in the coming years, and we are going to need to lean on our friends more and more.
Find Your Joy
As you embark on this journey, remember that genuine connections are worth the effort and patience they require, and they can be a source of immeasurable joy and support throughout your life.
So, take the initiative, invest in your friends, and relish in the joy that these relationships bring to your life. Make a commitment to prioritize your friendships today!
