Come on, Text Your Friends Back
Putting friendship on your to-do list. And thoughts on wide-cut jeans.
Yes, you really do need to text your friends back. It doesn’t have to be immediate because I KNOW we are all too attached to our phones. But three weeks later really is too long.
Why am I harping on returning texts?
This week I spoke to author, Laura Tremaine, about a period in her life when several friends, who were not connected to each other, told Laura that her lack of communication was rude and hurtful. The way she changed involved a special kind of daily “connection to-do list,” and I really appreciated her honesty and her success story.
A lot of what came up in my episode with Laura amounts to this—we all need different qualities in a friend, but it’s probably close to universal that nobody wants to feel ignored or taken for granted.
When I spoke to Megan Tamte, Chief Brand Officer, co-founder, and co-CEO, of Evereve, she had a similar message about making friendship a purposeful “to-do,” but for different reasons. After 15+ years of focusing on her family and her intense career, Megan realized it was time to put real energy into her social life.
Instead of using this “to-do” concept to connect with current friends, Megan was looking to make new ones, which meant putting friendship in her calendar as a weekly agenda item. And Megan accomplished that task with an entrepreneurial spirit. I was so impressed, but not surprised based on all she’s built with her team over the years. This woman is not afraid to go for what she wants.
I loved both of these episodes!
Find Laura Tremaine’s episode, “Text Your Friends Back and Other Tips on Maintaining Friendships” on APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Find Megan Tamte’s episode, “It’s Never Too Late to Make New Friends,” on APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Articles About Friendship I’ve Liked Lately
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!
“America Is in Its Insecure-Attachment Era” Discomfort with intimacy seems to be on the rise—and no one’s quite sure why by Faith Hill in The Atlantic
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wrote an essay for the NYT titled, “We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It’s Time to Fix That.”
I love any time Esther Perel writes about friendship.
“In Praise of the Low-key Hang” by Jo Piazza on Substack.
Social media has tricked us into thinking that a hang out needs to be super labor intensive involving elaborate cheese boards and butter boards and artisanal cocktails of both the alcoholic and nonalcoholic variety. But that isn’t true. (To read the rest of Jo’s piece, including all of her ideas for low-key hangouts, click here.)
Latest TV Shows I’m Watching and Books I’m Reading
I just finished Gretchen Rubin’s newest, Life in Five Senses. I connect with all of her work, and this one was no exception. I’m excited to interview her for Dear Nina soon!
I’m reading an early release of Congratulations, The Best is Over! by R. Eric Thomas.
I’m listening to Maggie Smith’s newest memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful. There’s so much to discuss. Just wow.
My on-going 2023 reading list with pithy reviews is here.
I started The Diplomat on Netflix. It’s not The Americans, but it is still Keri Russell, so I’m game.
I’m watching Succession, Ted Lasso, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel week-by-week, old-fashioned style. Really it’s more like every other week, because that’s just too much TV.
Latest Anonymous Friendship Question
The most recent question is about letting a 20-year friendship fade away when it’s clear the other person isn’t interested in keeping in touch, visiting, or traveling together. But I also advise: “Do not burn it down.” DO NOT SET A FADING FRIENDSHIP ON FIRE!
Have an anonymous question or an episode idea you want to share with me?
You can do that here and I will never know it was from you.
Have a great week everyone!
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