3 Ways to Be a More Affirming Friend
I have never been someone who craves words of affirmation. As a writer who loves words to the ends of the earth, it’s a strange…
friendships
5 Ways to Support a Friend Who Is Going Through a Tough Time
Sooner or later, it happens to everyone. A friend gets sick, loses a loved one, gets fired, or something else just as terrible. They need…
Your Best Friend Is Not Your Therapist
Recently, I found myself in the midst of a major life transition. I’d lost my job and was struggling to decide what to do next.…
4 Ways to Keep Your Friendship Strong Through a Challenging Time
A year ago, two close friends and I founded a small tech startup that builds SMS solutions for businesses. I was in my last year…
Discussion Diversity: 3 Things to Talk About Other Than Coronavirus
There’s a quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt that I’ve always loved: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” Short and…
How to Deal With a Flaky Friend
When my friend Shannon told me that she was accepted to graduate school in California, I was excited for her. I don’t get to see…
Tips for Listening to Understand, Not to Respond
Recently, I asked if my roommates had time to talk. On the brink of tears, I was not necessarily seeking advice, but rather a listening…
Low-Cost Ways to Brighten Someone’s Day
I like to think of myself as a positive person — someone who can shake things off and always believes blue skies are around the…
Not a Natural At Branching Out? Try These Techniques
When I first moved home from college, I was shaken to realize that all of my close high school friends had dispersed from the area. For the…
How to Recover From Social Burnout
I grew up homeschooled in a military family. We moved around a lot, and without a classroom full of children my own age, I made…
