At the foundation of Project BFF is the experience we each have had with friendships, which inspired our mission to empower women and their friendships. We have stories related to the friendships we have now, those that we have lost, and those we have yet to find. And we believe that you, and your friendships, have had similar triumphs and challenges.
You probably recall (for better or for worse) the friends you made in childhood, in the playground or elementary and middle school. These are truly formative years for all kinds of physical and mental growth. Knowing what you do today, it’s interesting to consider what kind of friendship advice you would give to your young self or the young women currently in your life.
In the recent article, “11 Truths About Friendship Every Girl Needs To Know” you’ll probably recognize a few of the experiences you’ve had in making new friends and navigating the ups and downs of growing a friendship. For starters, the article notes that research published in 2010 has shown that girls who are more authentic with their friends, including being open and honest about their true feelings, have closer connections with their friends.
We invite you to visit the article to explore each of the “11 Truths….”. (NOTE: Although the title promotes 11 truths, the article correctly notes that there are 12 listed. Maybe it was a typo; we’ve all been there!)
Here are just a few of the truths that you, or the young girls in your life, can probably relate to:
It Takes Work to Maintain Friendships
Contact with classmates and peers via social media apps does not translate into meaningful friendships. Healthy friendships require development as people spend time together, face-to-face.
Sometimes You Will Be Left out or Excluded
It could be a simple mistake or oversight, a need to limit the number of invitations, or the harsh reality of an attempt to ignore or bully someone.
Comparing Your Friendship to Others Isn’t Wise
Girls often compare their friendships to what they read about in books, see in the movies, or watch on television. Remind the girls in your life that these examples are fiction and not real life.
Working on Friendships Is Worth the Effort
A friendship might get a little messy along the way. But if a young woman works through conflicts, she might find that she is able to build something meaningful. What’s more, there will be a lot of fun in between.
As a way of continuing the conversation, we welcome a note from you about your friendships experiences and how you would (or are) guiding the next generation of young women to start growing on their own. We look forward to hearing from you via email (friend (at) project-bff.com), or on Instagram or Facebook.
Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash
