Navigating Friendships

Friendships are like your family. In your 20s, when you're doing so much growing and learning, your friends can be a huge support during this time. While maintaining friendships in your 20s can be challenging, it’s really important to nurture those meaningful connections. Many people think friendships don’t require effort, but they actually take a lot of work and attention, just like any relationship. The upside is that, with the right care, these friendships can grow into lifelong bonds that you'll cherish forever.

What makes a true friend?

A true friend embodies key qualities like trust, support, honesty, and mutual respect. While friends may be different in some ways, they should share similar values and interests. Your friends are a reflection of you, and they should dream as big as you do, no matter what those dreams may be. Loyalty and honesty are crucial in any friendship. It’s important to be open about who you are and to set boundaries when needed. A true friend will stand by you through both the tough times and the moments of celebration.

As you grow, you may find yourself outgrowing certain friendships or recognizing when a connection no longer serves you. When a friendship feels overwhelmingly negative or one-sided, it’s usually a major red flag. Open communication is key in these situations—having an honest conversation can help you understand each other better and may reveal things you wouldn’t have realized otherwise. Remember, people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. It’s up to you to decide who those people are. That said, it's also important to make new connections as you move through different phases of life, especially as your interests and priorities evolve.

Making New Friends

Making new friends in your 20s can feel nerve-wracking, especially since many of your earlier friendships may have formed through school, sports, or clubs. As you grow, your interests change, you're exploring different career paths, and you're figuring out what you want your future to look like. It's important to build a circle of friends who align with where you’re headed and who you can truly be yourself around.

Some tips for meeting new people include putting yourself out there—attend events, invite others to hang out, and try taking classes. And as you build new friendships, it's crucial to focus on the quality of connections rather than the quantity

You should surround yourself with friends who uplift and inspire you. Friendships play a huge role in your mental and emotional well-being, so remember: quality over quantity. I’d much rather have a few deep connections than many surface-level ones. Having positive influences in your life can really shift your perspective, hold you accountable, and create a strong support system you can rely on. As your circle of friends grows, so does the need to nurture your existing relationships, especially as life gets busier and more complex.

Maintaining Old Friendships

One of the biggest challenges in friendships is managing distance and time. As you both live your own lives—juggling relationships, work, family, and other responsibilities—life will keep evolving. Changes in jobs, relationships, and priorities are inevitable. It’s important to stay connected, whether through weekly phone calls, or monthly hangouts, depending on your schedules. No matter how busy life gets, maintain open and honest communication about what’s going on. If life gets in the way and you can't keep in touch as often, understand that it’s okay, and your true friends will still be there for you.

Personally, I prefer one-on-one time with friends over group settings, especially since not all friends know each other. I also love spending quality time and catching up with them. But the key is balancing your new and old friendships. If these people are important to you, you’ll make time for them. Friendships evolve, but the foundation of trust, care, and effort remains the same.

Dealing with Conflict in Friendships

Conflict with a friend can sometimes be uncomfortable or awkward, but addressing issues openly and honestly—especially in private—is always the best approach. It’s crucial to have empathy and truly listen to your friend’s feelings and needs. Try to identify the root cause of the conflict and focus on finding a solution. Misunderstandings can often happen, particularly when life paths start to differ, so remember that everyone is just trying to figure things out while balancing the amazing people in their lives. Empathy goes a long way in maintaining strong, healthy friendships. And just like in any relationship, the way you communicate and resolve conflict will help strengthen the bond over time.

Friendships are a sisterhood, and everyone deserves to have people in their corner. It’s important to prioritize meaningful connections in your life—they are so rewarding. Remember, just like friendships are extensions of your family, the people you connect with now can be the ones who stand by you for a lifetime. So cherish them, nurture them, and always make time for those who uplift you. Girls need to support each other, and if you ever feel like you don’t have someone, please know you can always reach out to me. I created this platform and this blog to bring people together, so don’t hesitate to message me. I’m here for you.