Thank you for this list on a day I needed it more than ever. As a mid-life woman whose longstanding friendship with 4 other women is on life support (we met in the heady days of 90s advertising), I read several essays with gratitude, tears, and a deeply felt sense of being understood.
Thank you! This list came at a good time for me. I’m working on a novel chapter about a friendship, and some background reading will really help me get deeper. Plus I’ve been thinking a lot about some friendships lost or nearly lost, and now I feel a little less alone in that.
Thank you for this, Anandi. In the grips of a winter storm earlier this month, I spent time contemplating the ebb and flow of friendships in my "Third Act" (mid-60s). This list will keep me company next time.
Hi Anandi, liked your post. I am also figuring out how to make friends after marriage in a new city. Frankly, I never had a lot of friends l, just a handful of friendship at different points of my life (ended without goodbyes). I moved to Hyderabad after marriage, since I have been struggling to make friends. I feel it's difficult to make connections at 30s. I am an introvert who like to have one to one conversation over a coffee but need a friend whom I can trust. Luckily I have a loving relationship with my husband, and he filled the void quickly. Still I feel female friendships are important for an overall well-being. Let me know your thoughts.
I love this list. Although not an essay, I've been thinking about the Neapolitan novels again recently (My Brilliant Friend) regarding the intensity and rightness of Lila and Lenu's friendship. Seems fitting to find this post in my inbox today. Plus, that Jean Garnett article kills me... thank you!
I'm 34 and I have to say I'm concerned by the number of people my age or younger who are too "scared" or "anxious" to have a telephone conversation. Has it always been this way? Why are so many people unwilling to endure the slightest discomfort for the sake of a friendship? Is this a generational thing? Or is it just a personality trait?
I love love love every single one of these! I wrote about how moving across the country, to make friends and find community, saved my life for Refinery29. I resonate so much with Cohen's article. A lot of the time, romantic relationships, especially in your 20s, are substituted for community, I think because they're arguably easier to find and cultivate thanks to apps and, a general acceptance that we deeply desire connection. But soulmates are found in friendships too
Thank you for this list on a day I needed it more than ever. As a mid-life woman whose longstanding friendship with 4 other women is on life support (we met in the heady days of 90s advertising), I read several essays with gratitude, tears, and a deeply felt sense of being understood.
Thank you! This list came at a good time for me. I’m working on a novel chapter about a friendship, and some background reading will really help me get deeper. Plus I’ve been thinking a lot about some friendships lost or nearly lost, and now I feel a little less alone in that.
Thank you for this, Anandi. In the grips of a winter storm earlier this month, I spent time contemplating the ebb and flow of friendships in my "Third Act" (mid-60s). This list will keep me company next time.
Hi Anandi, liked your post. I am also figuring out how to make friends after marriage in a new city. Frankly, I never had a lot of friends l, just a handful of friendship at different points of my life (ended without goodbyes). I moved to Hyderabad after marriage, since I have been struggling to make friends. I feel it's difficult to make connections at 30s. I am an introvert who like to have one to one conversation over a coffee but need a friend whom I can trust. Luckily I have a loving relationship with my husband, and he filled the void quickly. Still I feel female friendships are important for an overall well-being. Let me know your thoughts.
Brilliant!
I love this list. Although not an essay, I've been thinking about the Neapolitan novels again recently (My Brilliant Friend) regarding the intensity and rightness of Lila and Lenu's friendship. Seems fitting to find this post in my inbox today. Plus, that Jean Garnett article kills me... thank you!
“The lulu of all shames” - what a phrase!
What a beautiful read this morning.
I'm 34 and I have to say I'm concerned by the number of people my age or younger who are too "scared" or "anxious" to have a telephone conversation. Has it always been this way? Why are so many people unwilling to endure the slightest discomfort for the sake of a friendship? Is this a generational thing? Or is it just a personality trait?
Such an important topic. Thank you for this.
I love love love every single one of these! I wrote about how moving across the country, to make friends and find community, saved my life for Refinery29. I resonate so much with Cohen's article. A lot of the time, romantic relationships, especially in your 20s, are substituted for community, I think because they're arguably easier to find and cultivate thanks to apps and, a general acceptance that we deeply desire connection. But soulmates are found in friendships too