It’s dangerous to fear being hurt, as we may never know joy in friendships!

Women in particular value friendships. True friendships give comfort. But we don’t know where else we will meet NEW friends — around the corner or in nooks and crannies. If you are locked into a preconceived idea of the “type” of person you want to have as a friend you might be missing an important component in your life. We tend to seek friendship that duplicate our own world. We know what to expect and how to react. Making and keeping new, good friends is a big job which requires focus and consideration for the differences. Quality listening is important. Of course, you should expect the same in return. Friends are particularly important in a crisis — good or bad. When the bad occurs, it is healing to know you can depend on friends as well as family.

THIS IS ABOUT RIDDING OURSELVES OF THOSE WHO KEEP US FROM HAVING OUR OWN INNER SPACE

Even though I’m a huge advocate of women friendships, here’s a little addendum. Some friendships over a long period of time drain the life out of you. It comes in the form of possessiveness, control, jealousy, or in a series of complaints that go unresolved for years. Some people need, perhaps the drama or attention and really don’t want resolutions whether it’s a conscious or unconscious act.

This might be so energy depleting that you have to stop and consider taking a break or breaking off that friendship. You might choose to remain and listen to the unending, repetitive complaints out of pity or loyalty to that person and that’s fine. There doesn’t have to be a 50/50 trade-off between friends, but I do believe there comes a time where you might have to throw in the towel especially if these complaints are solvable but continue just the same.

COPYRIGHT 2025 FRANCES METZMAN
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