Prioritizing Friendships

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on the relationships that matter most to us. Friendships are critical to our lives, providing support, joy, and a sense of belonging. However, during the busy months leading up to the new year, it’s easy to let some connections slip.

As we shared in a post early last year, it’s important to be intentional about our closest relationships. The following are some ways to help nurture and grow meaningful bonds in the coming year.

Make regular catchups a priority

Life gets busy, but setting aside time for friends is crucial. If a weekly coffee date does not fit your schedule, aim for monthly time to connect over coffee or a meal. Scheduling a regular catch-up call with an out-of-town friend is a good way to stay connected despite the distance.

Get outside together

As my friend Dean shared in a popular post from a few years ago, a tradition he started during the pandemic was taking walks with friends. What started with his physical health in mind became a meaningful way to reconnect with people and strengthen bonds. During this season of colder weather and shorter days, having an accountability partner for a walk or other form of outdoor exercise makes it more likely to happen.

Friendship, much like nature, reveals its diverse beauty in every season of existence.

Vincent van Gogh

Mark milestones

Recognizing and celebrating our friends’ achievements and milestones, in person or with a thoughtful card or text, are important ways to show we care. That means finding ways to memorialize a birthday or a promotion at work, or even just reaching out by phone or text when a friend is experiencing a difficult time.

When I lost my mom early last year, the thoughtful cards I received from friends I’d known since childhood, as well as those I’d met more recently, made me feel more connected to them. Showing care helps strengthen bonds, and with the loss of my mom, it helped ease the pain of my loss while reminding me of my connection with friends I hadn’t seen in a while.

Plan something to look forward to

Planning a fun activity in the future with friends gives us something to look forward to, together. Whether planning a weekend getaway or exploring a new hobby you and a friend might enjoy, a joint activity provides an opportunity to connect during the planning process. An added benefit might be that you infuse a bit of excitement into a time of year that might otherwise feel a little lonely or dull.

Be opportunistic

Sometimes a meaningful reconnection with a friend can be a spontaneous decision. Last month I discovered I had remaining vacation days to take before year-end and booked a last-minute visit to Kentucky to see my mom’s long-time friend, Lucretia. I planned to arrive in the early evening and was not due at Lucretia’s daughter’s house until late evening.

So, after sending a Facebook birthday greeting to my school friend, Alex, I messaged her asking if she’d be free for dinner the next day. She was, and we had a fun evening catching up over dinner and drinks, an unexpected mood boost for both of us. And it lacked the planning stress that can sometimes derail get-togethers, as Sara recently wrote.

With these ideas in mind, we hope you will be inspired to reconnect with others at the start of this new year.

Here’s to a year filled with strong, meaningful connections! 🌱

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.

John Steinbeck