Kathleen

The kinds of friends you have throughout your life can be so varied. I've put together a list featuring each letter of the alphabet that represents the different types of friends in life. In my social circle of about 10 good friends, I know I can attribute each one of these letters to a friend. And I know which ones I'd pick for myself, but I wonder if my friends would agree?  Do I need different kinds of friends? Different people add different things to your life. They play a variety of different roles and sometimes cater to the different [...]

Having mom friends can make navigating motherhood a much easier and enjoyable experience. Filling you with shared laughter, support during tough times, and cherished memories. Yet, when your new friends or your close group of mom friends leave you out, it hurts. Feeling excluded by people you thought understood you can be difficult and upsetting.  Let's take a look at some strategies for handling situations where you might be the excluded mom or a friend is shut out of a mom group. And what you can do to navigate this potentially painful experience. Signs of Exclusion The signs of exclusion in any social circle can manifest in various subtle yet hurtful ways. [...]

Being a young adult can make finding (and keeping) friends challenging. Everyone you know will be in a different life stage. Whether you've just finished school, still studying, started working, or become a parent, building real connections is important.  The good news is there are lots of tips and helpful advice to help you make friends that stick around, no matter what life throws at you. Why making friends matters During the transformative phase of young adulthood, building a supportive network of friends that provide companionship, understanding, and a sense of belonging can help you navigate the challenges and uncertainties [...]

A good friend can be hard to come by, especially when you are an adult. But there are a few qualities to look out for to ensure your new friendship will continue to blossom. There are a number of characteristics that set genuine friends apart from potential fake friends. So what makes a good friend? You might have many acquaintances and a handful of friends. But only the best of the best get to be called good friends. So what sets these amazingly great friends apart from all of your casual friends?  Some of the benefits that we get out of strong [...]

Each person has their own primary love language, which is the way they feel most loved and appreciated. Understanding your friends' love languages can help you communicate your love and appreciation in a way that they will truly understand and appreciate. By understanding and speaking your friends' love languages, you can deepen your friendships and show your appreciation in a way that really resonates with them. What are Love Languages? Do you ever feel like you and your friends are not on the same wavelength when it comes to expressing love and appreciation? This is where the concept of love [...]

I always complained to my husband that I never had any close friendships, even in high school. He said that I would make friends with the other school mums when our kids were at school. And let me tell you, that was a long time for me to have to wait.So I chose not to wait for those friends to appear in my life. I decided to do things to become closer to the people I already knew.  And now I have a group of about 10 women that I am really great friends with. And a few of those I consider [...]

Moving to a new city as an adult can be both exhilarating and challenging. And one of the most significant hurdles is establishing a social circle in unfamiliar territory. The sense of leaving behind established friendships can be daunting, but forming new connections is important for personal growth and building a broader support network. Here, we'll walk through practical steps and strategies to help you smoothly navigate this transition and make meaningful connections in your new community. Acknowledging the Initial Hurdles It's entirely normal to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension when embarking on any new chapter of your [...]