ADULT FRIENDSHIPS: WHY THEY'RE SO HARD TO FIND AND KEEP
In this episode of How to Deal When the Shit Gets Real, Jenn and I have an honest conversation about adult friendships and why building meaningful relationships can feel so much harder as we get older.
From finding people who truly align with you to navigating boundaries, trusting your intuition, and knowing when it's time to let go, we explore the challenges that so many women experience but rarely talk about.
We also discuss why some friendships naturally evolve, why others come to an end, and why having history with someone doesn't always mean they're meant to stay in your life.
This conversation is about connection, self-trust, and giving yourself permission to choose relationships that bring you peace.
WHY MAKING FRIENDS AS AN ADULT FEELS DIFFERENT
Making friends was easy when we were kids. As adults, life becomes more complicated.
Jenn and I talk about why building new friendships can feel challenging and why finding people who genuinely fit your life often takes time.
We discuss:
Why adult friendships can be difficult
Finding people with shared values
Building meaningful connections
Quality friendships are worth waiting for.
FINDING PEOPLE WHO TRULY ALIGN WITH YOU
Not every friendship is meant to last forever, and not every person is meant to be part of your journey.
We discuss what it means to find people who genuinely support you, respect you, and make you feel like yourself.
We talk about:
Finding your people
Recognizing healthy friendships
Building relationships based on mutual respect
The right friendships don't require you to become someone you're not.
SETTING BOUNDARIES WITHOUT GUILT
Healthy boundaries strengthen healthy relationships.
We discuss why setting boundaries is an act of self-respect and why some people take those boundaries personally when they no longer benefit from having unlimited access to you.
We discuss:
Setting healthy boundaries
Why boundaries can upset people
Protecting your peace
The people who respect your boundaries are often the ones worth keeping.
TRUSTING YOUR INTUITION
One of the biggest lessons we've learned is that our intuition is usually right.
Looking back, we realized many of the situations that caused us the most pain happened because we ignored that quiet inner voice.
We talk about:
Listening to your instincts
Recognizing subtle warning signs
Learning to trust yourself
Intuition rarely shouts. More often, it quietly says, "Don't do that."
WHEN IT'S TIME TO LET GO
Ending a friendship can be just as painful as ending any other relationship.
We discuss why it's okay to outgrow people and why shared history shouldn't be the only reason a friendship continues.
We discuss:
Outgrowing friendships
Letting go without guilt
Accepting that people change
Time invested doesn't always mean a relationship is still healthy.
CHOOSING PEACE OVER OBLIGATION
At its core, this episode is about choosing relationships that add to your life instead of draining it.
Friendship isn't measured by how long someone has been around—it's measured by how safe, supported, and valued you feel when you're with them.
We discuss:
Choosing healthy relationships
Trusting your instincts
Prioritizing mutual respect
Making space for the right people
The best friendships don't ask you to betray yourself—they encourage you to become more of who you are.
Adult Friendships
Friendship
Boundaries
Trust Your Intuition
Personal Growth
Healthy Relationships
Women's Friendships
Self Trust
Mental Health
Self Growth
