I’m thinking about creative ways to show gratitude to our friends. Why? Because friendships that cruise along on auto-pilot eventually stall. The best way to get out of auto-pilot is to acknowledge, aloud, or in some other way (see my list below!) why a particular person matters to you.
Yes, this is pegged to Thanksgiving. That’s why we have holidays—so we remember who and what matters.
Call your friend to say you’re thankful for the friendship. Be ready to share three reasons why. Let’s not make this a generic call!
Write a mushy text stating what you value about the friendship.
Mail a beautiful card, the old-fashioned way.
Send a few funny, or touching, memes.
Create a Spotify playlist evoking memories you share.
Send flowers for no reason.
Pick out a book from your shelf your friend would like, write a note on the title page, and send it in the mail.
If you’re rarely the one to reach out first for a hangout, look at your calendar, send three dates, then ask your friend to pick one. Or at the very least, tell your organized friend how much you appreciate the effort it takes to be the maker of the plans most of the time.
If you’re always the friend who reaches out first, but you have great chemistry and enjoy each other’s company, accept that you’re better at making plans. Your friend will not know that this mental shift is your expression of gratitude, but it is. This counts!
Watch the show, listen to the podcast, or read the book that your friend has been recommending.
You feel great (potential) friendship chemistry with someone new, but then what happens next?
My latest podcast episode covers the following:
How do you pursue a new friendship in a way that lets the other person know you're interested, but doesn't scare them off?
If your already have a full social life, how do you make time for a new friend?
Why should you make time for a new friend?
We also discussed some texting etiquette such as when to employ the thumbs up and when to respond with words. Fans of Dear Nina will know I have strong feelings about this!
Join my conversation with the co-hosts of Life's Accessories, The Podcast, Stephanie Goldstein and
, as we learn how these very new friends met and became so close despite living in different cities and neither one lacking for friends.🎧 Listen to episode 78 anywhere you get your podcasts!
I see so many friendship-related things, either because I find them myself or listeners send them to me. I love hearing from listeners and readers!
I started Verity because I’ve never read a Colleen Hoover book. I’m 20 pages in. Does it speed up? It’s slow so far.
Most of my reading time these days is doom scrolling on Instagram. Just being honest.
See my updated 2023 reading list here.
Who else watched Escaping Twin Flames on Netflix? I’m always intrigued by a cult documentary.
I accidentally watched all four episodes of The Crown and now I have to wait for the rest of the season, which is annoying. This season is not even that great, but episode four did make me cry.
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“Abrupt Silence After Vacationing Together”
“You Should be Friends With People You Like”
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You can do that here, and I will never know it was from you.
Have a great week everyone! Links to bookshop.org and Amazon are affiliate links
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