Hey Girl, let’s chit chat about friendships and change. During major LIFE changes, trying to keep a grip on all the important aspects of life – like family, friends, your relationships, and your job – all of these may feel like difficult tasks to juggle. Truth be told… most often friendships is the ball that is dropped when we’re juggling LIFE.
See marriage, moving away, or a promotion are big LIFE changes that are exciting, but can be very stressful. Nevertheless, having good friends to go through them with you makes it bearable.
My sister-girlfriend and I have been single together for a long time. During our singleness she would always pray that we would be happy in relationships at the sometime. Now, this praying women was on a mission. And one day, things started moving without our knowing. I can truly say, “God was orchestrating everything that was about to happen.” Okay, here we go, long story short.
She met a guy, the guy pursued her for a really long time, we went to a cook-out. I left the cook-out with some delicious kale salad and a phone number. I started a new job & she got in engaged. My Fella started courting me and my sister-girl started planning her wedding. Girls trip to Shepardstown, West Virginia there we laughed, talked and recharged. In the mist of planning her wedding she started a rigorous new job with the city school system. I traveled 4 days a week and became an empty nester. She got married. I had major surgery and began my move up the mountain.
When I look back over the last two years, that was a lot, but daily early morning conversations and inspirational messages sent via text keeps us connected the best we can.
No matter what transition you’re experiencing here’s how to make sure you’re still keeping up with some of the most important people in your life; your friends.
Be Open to Meeting New People
During most big LIFE events, we feel drawn to new friends who are also experiencing the same thing. But that doesn’t mean you have to forget about your old friendships. One of the best ways to maintain your friendships is to merge them, and then you won’t feel like you have to miss out on spending time with either.
Don’t stop asking for advice
If you’re going through a big change in life your friend has already experienced, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for advice! After all, that’s what friends are for. Not only will they be happy to hear about what’s happening with you, but they’ll be able to offer great insight into what you’re going through and how you can navigate through your journey.
Choose a Communication Channel
Above all, communication will be the most difficult hurdle you and your friends will have to jump over. Whether you live minutes from one another, or hours, it’s important you find a way to stay up to date. Maybe it’s a quick text every day with a funny joke, a phone call once a week, or a trip once a year to reconnect – what matters is that it works well for the both of you.
Friendships are so important in LIFE because they offer you someone to laugh with, cry with, and grow with. Plus, when you’re experiencing a big LIFE change, they’ll be someone that can hep you handle it all. I hope you’re able to use these tips to maintain your sister-girl friendships during the big LIFE changes!
9 Responses
[…] How to Maintain Friendships During Big Life Changes […]
Beautiful!!!
Sherri, thank you for reading my post. I trust that “Beautiful” qualifies as the adjective that you use to describe your friendships. Each person is a different peace of art work that brings a different value into your life. I to am very selective as to whom I give such a beautiful title to and call them my friend. I guess we could call ourselves Art Collectors of our lives. We take the time to collect the information we need to know if this person’s heart can effortlessly be close in our circle. For me, if their heart isn’t in the right place or connected to their actions Friend will not be given as a title but instead associate seems to be a more be fitting title. How do you go about selecting your friends?
Hahaha. First I want to say. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW. Second I value the time and energy that we spend together. Your sisterly friendship means a lot and it gets US through life. As our lives continue to grow towards greater the tips you provide will keep us together. I LIKE YOUR BLOG and I’m not just saying it either cause a good friend would tell ya the truth!!! I’m so proud of you, and I’ll just say glad you are FINALLY writing. Wink wink!!
I truly thank you for every tear you shed with me, every heartache you felt with me, every quite moment you spent with me, every prayer you prayed for me and with me, and every laugh that we shared together. And, thank you for pushing me over the last 5 years to just S T A R T. Love you girl!
Excellent food for thought
Sharon, I’m so glad that I was able to give you something to think about. I know that its so easy to allow L I F E to overtake our relationships. But, the extra effort you put into them will show your friends how much you value them. Please continue to share your thoughts with me as I truly do enjoy hearing from you. And, also thank you for reading.
Excellent read and great tips!
Tara, girl thank you, thank you, & thank you! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tips that I posted. Continue to press your way towards not allow “L I F E” to consume your friendships, because those very relationships are truly the most important part of our lives! Your support is so appreciated & keep letting me know your thoughts.