How To Set Boundaries, and What To Do When The Other Person Pushes Back
I had faced months of annoyance and frustration with my longtime roommate, who was not communicating as well as she usually did, specifically when it…
friendships
There’s Nothing Old About Making New Friends: 3 Ways to Make Friends with Senior Citizens
When I first moved into my neighborhood, I was a little dismayed that 90% of my neighbors were retired empty-nesters, who, at first glance, I…
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…
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…