Friendships – the mystery, management and magic
June 6, 2022
Friendships are strange things. In other relationships the rules are pretty clear to most of us, but friendships can take so many forms and many of the rules are concealed – and are often bewildering.
When we make a true friend it’s like a magic spell has been cast over us – we feel so lucky! But what do we do when this initial bubble bursts? What does the work of friendship involve? How can we best deal with the changes, hurdles, uncomfortable and painful times?
In this episode I look at some of the problems with friendships. Shockingly – research has found – most friendships WON’T last. Most of us know the terrible devastation of losing a friendship – which can be more painful than losing a partner! And yet, some friendships DO last a lifetime – as have many of mine! I’ll tell you how, and why making new friends is part of keeping old friendships.
Learn how to ride and manage the magic and mystery of friendships.
Friendships are strange things. In other relationships the rules are pretty clear to most of us, but friendships can take so many forms and many of the rules are concealed – and are often bewildering.
We tend to view our earliest friendships with great sentiment – and yet they are completely beyond our control, forced upon us really, as they develop entirely from our parent’s proximity to others.
When we make a true friend it’s like a magic spell has been cast over us – we feel so lucky! But what do we do when this initial bubble bursts? What does the work of friendship involve? How can we best deal with the changes, hurdles, uncomfortable and painful times?
Professor Robert Waldinger at Harvard University, is directing an 80-year-long longitudinal study and is finding “good relationships keep us happier and healthier… and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ or even genes”.
We tend to view our earliest friendships with great sentiment – and yet they are completely beyond our control, forced upon us really, as they develop entirely from our parent’s proximity to others.
When we make a true friend it’s like a magic spell has been cast over us – we feel so lucky! But what do we do when this initial bubble bursts? What does the work of friendship involve? How can we best deal with the changes, hurdles, uncomfortable and painful times?
Professor Robert Waldinger at Harvard University, is directing an 80-year-long longitudinal study and is finding “good relationships keep us happier and healthier… and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ or even genes”.
I look at some of the problems with friendships. Shockingly – research has found – most friendships WON’T last….as psychologist Dr Irene Levine writes in her book “Best Friends forever: Surviving a breakup with your best friend”. Most of us know the terrible devastation of losing a friendship – which can be more painful than losing a partner! And yet, some friendships DO last a lifetime – as have many of mine! I’ll tell you how, and why making new friends is part of keeping old friendships.
And what about people wondering – why don’t I have close friends? What can they do?
Learn how to ride and manage the magic and mystery of friendships.