The Ultimate Guide To Friendship

When weddings ruin everything, how to make new friends, navigating money differences, & more. Oct. 25, 2024 [Bustle Daily]( [Welcome To Our Friendship Issue!]( Editor's Letter [Welcome To Our Friendship Issue!]( Romantic relationships get a lot of attention in popular culture but, if you ask us, friendship is the true backbone of a great life. Whether you’ve known someone since childhood or recently bonded over a mutual love of Bravo (who hasn’t?), these connections can help us feel seen, supported, and less alone. But that doesn’t mean maintaining these friendships—or making new ones—is easy! As with anything we care about deeply, things can get a little messy. To help you navigate all of the highs and lows—from strengthening new friendships to mourning your ex-BFF—we joined forces with our pals at [Wondermind]( to put together this round-up of our favorite friendship advice. And if you like this newsletter, then I have great news: Wondermind also has one. [Subscribe now for more relatable content]( about navigating friendships, feeling your feelings, and prioritizing self-care delivered straight to your inbox. -[Hayley Schueneman]( Senior Editor, Newsletters & Lifestyle [Subscribe to the Wondermind newsletter]( Connection Booster [dash icon] [Making friends as an adult doesn’t have to feel so weird]( [dash icon] [4 expert tips for strengthening your friendships ASAP]( Pro Tip #1 [Remember, 'Friends' Isn't Real Life]( We’ve all seen that picture-perfect image of a tight-knit, inseparable friend group on TV (think: Friends, Sex and the City, New Girl), and it can be a bummer when you look around and realize you don’t have that sort of crew. But that’s not always realistic—or necessary! Expecting the perfect, made-for-HBO squad “can create a discrepancy between what our relationships involve and what we want them to look like, leading to dissatisfaction, anxiety, and constantly comparing how our social circles measure up to other people,” says psychologist [Miriam Kirmayer, PhD](. Rather than spinning your wheels about what you think your friendships should look like, you can use that energy to make deeper connections with the people around you using [these 4 expert tips.]( [left quote marker] The beliefs we have about what our social networks should be can stand in the way of us building new connections. [right quote marker] [Miriam Kirmayer, PhD]( The Struggle Is Real [dash icon] [Friendship conflicts suck—here’s how to handle them like an adult]( [dash icon] [What to do when your friend has a lot more money than you]( [dash icon] [No, that long-distance friendship doesn’t have to be so awkward]( [dash icon] [If a wedding destroyed your friendship, you’re not alone]( Pro Tip #2 [Even Best Friends Can Have Boundaries]( A healthy relationship is all about balance, and that’s especially important in friendships. If things start to feel one-sided, it has the potential to unravel. “Without boundaries, it is difficult to trust others, to take care of yourself, and to make sure the relationship is mutually beneficial,” says therapist [Amanda White, LPC, LMHC](. “Boundaries allow us to maintain our relationships long term.” Do you and your friends respect each other’s time? Are you comfortable telling each other no? Experts gave us [a list of 9 boundaries]( you should have in your friendship. [How many do you and your bestie have?]( [left quote marker] Boundaries are the glue that hold all relationships together and friendships are no exception. [right quote marker] [Amanda White, LPC, LMHC]( Hot Takes [dash icon] [The cure for loneliness might be simpler than you think]( [dash icon] [Is your new best friend just a DM slide away?]( Thanks for reading! [Until Next Time]( We hope you enjoyed this special friendship edition of the Bustle newsletter with our friends at [Wondermind](. For more expert advice and candid conversations, remember to [subscribe to their newsletter.]( Follow us on: [instagram]( [facebook]( [tiktok]( [x_social]( [Want to Advertise With Us? Get in Touch.]( You're receiving this email because you signed up to receive communications from BDG Media. If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely [unsubscribe](. Or to manage preferences click [here]( BDG Media, Inc. · 315 Park Ave. South · New York, NY 10010 · USA Copyright 2024 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved.