The older we get, the harder it is to find friends. All of a sudden we aren’t put into classes with people with similar interests and who live close by. We have to work to find and make real connections. If you would have found me a few years ago, I would have told you that you don’t need as many friends as you get older or that I have a select few people who I really trust. That may be true for some people, but for me, I need girlfriends. I need to laugh, cry and eat ice cream with people who build me up and show me that good is in the world.
There are a few places you can find girlfriends as an adult. My suggestions would be to join groups – neighborhood groups (shameless plug for RSMB Neighborhood Groups), Moms of Preschoolers in the area, or church groups. There might be a lady or two that you connect with there. Also, your kids that you love so much and bring to play places – reach out and talk to the other mom there staring aimlessly on her phone. There is something you have in common even if it is simply that you are both tired and would rather be walking around Target.
The girlfriends I have found and have now have made me a better person. They challenge me to think outside my box, stretch my imagination, and grow as a mom. There are times we talk about really important world issues, and then there are days where we veg out on our favorite TV show together. It doesn’t matter as much what you do but that you are spending time together and building relationships. I believe that everyone wants and needs somebody to say “I get it, I have felt that way too.” And in the world that we are trying to navigate called motherhood, we need people to listen and love us for who we are and all the things we struggle with.
If there was something I would have told myself when I was beginning this journey of finding adult girlfriends, it would be this: no one has their crap together. We ALL have our struggles, we all question our sanity at least daily, and none of us are as put together as our social media accounts say we are. We are women, we are strong, and we are loving, but we need each other. We need varying perspectives, we need people to make us laugh, and we need an escape from realty. Step out of your comfort zone and make a connection with a mom, I promise you won’t regret it!
