The importance of social connections when it comes to our health and wellbeing is something that many health professionals are starting to take seriously. Studies show that loneliness can be detrimental to our health in many ways, and our relationships can affect both our emotional and physical wellbeing.
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Hope Kelaher is a relational and systematic therapist based in NYC and the author of the new book, Here To Make Friends: How To Make Friends As An Adult. Hope is passionate about helping those struggling with anxiety or depression find healing connections among family, friends and those you may not have even met yet.
Making friends as an adult can have its challenges, and today Hope is here to explain everything from the three main domains of friendship to the differences between making friends as a child versus as an adult or as a man versus a woman and provide tips so that you can be more vulnerable in your relationships.
Putting yourself out there to make a new friend is an act of bravery and courage, but it can lead to some amazing results. By engaging with others, examining your own strengths and weaknesses as a friend and implementing Hope’s tips for creating new connections while avoiding toxic relationships, you can create more engaging relationships for yourself and others.
Whether you are an introvert looking for tips on how to make new friends, are currently in a relationship that is in need of conflict resolution tactics, or just want to become a better friend yourself, Hope provides a language to a topic that many struggle with silently.
Everyone longs for love and connection, are you ready to take it into your own hands and create the relationships that you desire in your life? Share how you make, or struggle to make, friends as an adult with us in the comments below.
In This Episode
- Learn about the three domains of friendship and how they can change over time
- Explore relationship patterns of millennials and the role of social media in connection
- Tools to assess whether your relationship can be saved or if it is time to stand down
- How to engage with others and take your current and new relationships to the next level
- The importance of understanding the difference between loneliness and being alone
Quotes
“We often think of emotional intimacy in intimate partner relationships, I actually think it applies to friendships too. Those are the friends that you can go deep with, they know your fears, your hopes, and your dreams.” (17:28)
“Sometimes when we think of friendship we think of that person, but I also think it is really important to take the time to reflect on ourselves as friends as well. How are we showing up for people, how are we doing on those domains? Because there is this mutuality and reciprocity.” (18:57)
“Vulnerability has to be seen as a strength. And the more parents can teach their male children to be vulnerable, the better off they will be.” (27:12)
“I think that’s the beauty of life, things are always evolving and changing and the more positivity you can put out there, the Universe will give it back to you.” (34:58)
“All relationships that we engage in really help us figure out who we are and who we are to the outside world.” (37:35)
Links
Here To Make Friends: How To Make Friends As An Adult by Hope Kelaher