August Friendship Challenge: Older and Younger FriendsPlus: the community that shows up in hard times
Mixed-Age FriendshipsEvery month I offer a small, doable challenge to deepen/revive the friendships already in our lives OR to make new friends. I say “our” because I do the challenges too. You can see the January - July challenges here. August’s challenge is perhaps more philosophical and less an immediate “to do.” But the challenge will add to your social life if you put some action behind the thoughts here. Think beyond your age and stage AND try something newI’ve seen the benefits of mixed-age friendships in my life. Sometimes I’m the younger friend, sometimes the older one, and both roles come with their own gifts. My challenge to you is to make sure you’re thinking beyond your age and stage when you’re considering who you’re spending time with over the course of let’s say, a month. (Or who you’re texting, who you’re making future plans to see, etc.) In episode #158 of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, I spoke to author Liz Alterman, who’s latest novel, Claire Casey’s Had Enough, includes a beautiful friendship between a 46-year-old and a 78-year-old woman. Some of the reasons Liz and I both appreciate the older and younger friends in our lives mirrors what her characters appreciate about each other, too.
My biggest takeaway from my conversation with Liz? You’re not going to meet an older or younger friend by doing the same things you’ve always done. You have to get out of your comfort zone, try something new, and follow the chemistry—then be brave enough to make a move. Let this be your August Friendship Challenge: Seek out or deepen a friendship with someone in a different stage of life. Start small—a walk, a text, a coffee invitation. I promise, it’s worth it. FIND EPISODE #158 on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! Another episode you might have missed!#157: When a Community Shows Up: Childhood Cancer, Friendship, and Lifelong Ripple EffectsAmy Blumenfeld was in 8th grade when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. While the medical story is remarkable on its own (including Amy becoming the first adolescent with Hodgkin lymphoma to have an autologous bone marrow transplant at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC), what stayed with her deeply was how her community showed up for her family.
FIND EPISODE #157 on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! Two anonymous friendship advice questions you might have missed
Let’s connect outside of this newsletter: You can find me most often in the Facebook group, Dear Nina: The Group. All the social media links are below. I know I need to get rid of some them! Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn | My Website You’re a free subscriber to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. Frustrated with some of your friends? You’re not alone! The anonymous letters are a perk for paying subscribers. You probably have a similar question. Upgrade any time for the full archive AND for (optional!) quarterly Zoom hangouts with Nina and other paying subscribers.
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