I was having a lot of anxiety around what would happen to this best friendship of mine. And so it felt good to confront it head on even though I was a little nervous to have the conversation. So we kind of acknowledge there might be some speed bumps. There might be some harder moments in time in the short term, but let's not forget that we are committed for life as friends.
It's a mistake to prioritize romantic and familial relationships over friendship, argues psychologist Dr. Marisa Franco. Strong, supportive friendships expand our sense of self, she says, and are associated with greater well-being and health. Marisa offers research-based strategies to make new friends and deepen our existing friendships, including helpful concepts like mutuality and the mere-exposure effect. Marisa and Maya also discuss how to stay friends through big life changes, why fighting could make your friendship stronger, and how to break up with a friend with clarity and kindness.
For more on Marisa's work, check out her book, “Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends."
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