Deep, vulnerable, and meaningful friendships can be compared to a hug you so joyously need after a celebration or a day that has pulled all the energy you had and you feel depleted. Having at least one person in your life that you can deem a friend, a really good friend, is food for your soul. The relationships you build outside of your family structure can have an additional impact on your self esteem, social skills, and emotional health. As we get older, responsibilities increase unapologetically, and the promises of adulthood appear to fulfill their duties in lightning speed. The effort to maintain these adult friendships require extra intention and attention and if you are forging new ones, it can be a tricky slope with confusing rules and boundaries. Having experienced decades long friendships that have ended is a death not many discuss. Space is often always created for breakups involving romantic relationships, but friendship breakups are as traumatic and detrimental. Diving back into the friendship scene is a lot like looking for a romantic partner you want to date and eventually marry, minus the sex. The fear of navigating new friendships in adulthood is a valid one, one that does not come with a manual. Maintaining vulnerability, using discernment, honoring yourself, and being in alignment are important factors to keep in mind when nurturing these friendships. Starting over in any capacity requires faith, prayer, and a willingness to put yourself out there. People are much like seasons, some staying through years of rain shower, snow storms, heat waves, and crisp breezes, and others only staying momentarily to only see the flowers bloom, or watch them whither and die. The experience of having girlfriends is nothing that can be fully understood until you experience it. A sisterhood of chosen elite women where love, respect, support, similarities and differences collide to create beautiful symmetry. This community further confirms your value and the importance of your existence outside of your parents and or siblings. Healthy friendships should and will challenge you, motivate you, and heal you in ways that are most rewarding. There is no growth without change and we must always embrace change because that is how maturity is measured.
-Chloe Mitchell