Group Love: Avoid a Friender Bender!

Thanks g00d t1m3!

If you are lucky enough to have a fabulous Go-To Gang, you’ll understand perfectly what I mean when I say that hanging out with the right group of people empowers you to make the most of your life. It’s a privilege to spend your time with people who love you, support you, and can make you laugh. They give you that extra boost of confidence to help carry you through life’s tricky bits.  Of course, for the tricky bits, it also helps if they willingly split a margarita jug with you and know all the words to ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’.

However, there are days when you do stop and wonder- where did the last month go? Since when are X’s sisters moving in together? Since when did Y and Z start dating? And how the hell didn’t I know that ABC’s cousin/Aunty/terrier was pregnant?  

There are a few ways to keep your beautiful friendships happy and healthy, from a ‘Magic Mike’ night with your lady friends to treating yourself to a latte-and-mag date alone. Otherwise, you may find yourself on a Friender Bender- going completely round the twist due to over or under exposure…

All In

The whole point of having a great friendship group is to enjoy it! You already know the best ways to enjoy spending time with your Go-To Gang- whether it’s a Sunday afternoon barbeque and Guitar Hero session, ten-pin-bowling or a lovely group dinner for So-And-So’s birthday. Take the time to enjoy your mates. They love you. You love them. The math isn’t difficult (though finding a willing designated driver may be).

Stop: Couple Time!

Are you lucky enough to be the ‘better half of a whole’ within your Go-To Gang? Do you take the time to be together, apart from your other friends? Taking space to share love with your partner is so incredibly important. Make sure they know how much you love and value them for who they are- not just which member of the group they are. Don’t allow the special things you love about them to be swallowed whole by the gales of unified, screaming laughter being omitted from your backyard.

Which One Are You Again?

Don’t lose sight of the unique, individual characteristics that make up each and every one of your friends. They are all special. They all bring something beautiful and singular to your group- that’s why you all get on so well! Try flying solo with one of them in between your group jaunts. When you ask them how they are- mean it. What is happening in their life? How are their family? How is their work going? Make sure each of your friends know separately how much you appreciate them, and what you love about them.

Table For One

Spending time alone can be surprisingly difficult- especially if you are typically surrounded by a group of six or eight people. The thing is, spending time alone is absolutely essential to our well-being. It helps us breathe. It helps us gather our thoughts. It helps us assess our lives and what we want. Loving yourself is just as important as loving your friends. Draw a bath, grab a book and a glass of wine and chill out before you go All In again.


Guitar solos and topless Channing Tatums,

MJ x