The Importance of Female Friendships
Friends are the pinnacle of the Good Life and don't you forget it.
It’s not that serious. Musings on wellness, mom life, marriage, fashion and more. Here to make you laugh and feel seen. Welcome to Ask Ashley.
Happy Thursday.
I’m giddy today because tomorrow I leave for a Girl’s Trip. I can’t wait to frolic about in the city that brought out the Carefree Me in what I would consider one of the best times in my life.
While being a young 20-something in Chicago, figuring myself out via new adulthood, career, dating and brand new (and terrifying) new motherhood, there was one constant that always brought me back home to myself—and that still does to this day—my friendships.
My friends have always been important to me. From when I was a young schoolgirl on the playground planning sleepovers to crying on each other’s shoulders in college over a breakup, to new motherhood where fellow moms understand exactly what we’re all going through, together, the women I’ve chosen to be around have gotten me through life’s hardships and made me a better person along the way.
I think it’s important to surround yourself with different types of friends—people of different ages at different stages of life with different personalities. Because while it’s nice to be able to relate to people, it’s also nice to know that other ways of thinking and living aren’t just okay, but necessary to understand.
It can be hard to break through that mindset when you’re in your suburb bubble or home alone with young children, walking through the trudgery of adulting and watching the clock until Friday.
A lot of people claim that making friends as an adult is hard. And I agree with that to some extent. But just like any relationship in your life that’s worth nurturing, whether it’s brand new or just needs dusted off, you have to do the same with your friends—no matter if they’re spread out across the country or 10 minutes down the road.
Friends are medicine. They are the pinnacle of the Good Life.
Consider this memo your permission slip to book the Girls’ Trip, have a standing brunch date or commit to the neighborhood Book Club that really is Wine Club.
Thank you for reading.
Keep being you. A friendlier you.
Xo, Ash
I love this post. I'm spending the weekend with my college roommate. We were randomly assigned and have been friends ever since. We've been through everything together.
My best friend from growing up, I've known since I was two. Not kidding. Our older sisters were in kindergarten together.
I have friends from every phase of life. Learning to play tennis over the last ten years has given me the opportunity to follow your advice of having friends across a wide age range. I am friends with women much younger than myself and women in their mid-eighties.
As they say, our friends are our riches. By that logic, I think I'm a billionaire.