Quality of Life Depends on Relationships—Including Platonic Ones

“The quality of your life depends on the quality of your relationships.” We hear this all the time, but let’s not forget it’s not just about romantic or family relationships—platonic ones deserve their spotlight too.

Adult friendships can be a challenge. It's easy to let these connections slide between work, family, and the 17 other things on your to-do list. But your friends are the ones who will remind you who you are when life gets messy.

Friendships (Still) Matter

• They Keep Loneliness at Bay: Even a quick chat or sending a meme that says, “This made me think of you” can pull you out of the lonely spiral (shoutout to my meme-friends, who I can go days without saying a word to but we still say "hey!" with daily meme-overloads).

• They Help You Grow: A good friend will call you out (lovingly), cheer you on, and remind you of your badassery when you forget.

• They’re Safe Spaces: Friends don’t need you to have it all together. They’ll let you ugly cry, rant about your job, or just sit silently, and love you all the same.

  
  

Adult Friendships Are So Damn Hard

I miss the days of lunch breaks and random sleepovers. Now, it’s all about juggling calendars, managing kids, or just summoning enough energy after work to text someone back. Adult friendships don’t happen by accident—they take effort.

But don’t let that scare you. The payoff? Worth it. Absolutely.

How to Show Up

1. Make the Time (Even If It’s Small): A 10-minute call. A funny GIF. Coffee between errands. Friends don't need grand gestures. We just need to know we're a priority sometimes. We need to know that we're cared about.

2. Communicate (For Real): Say what you need, listen to what they need, and don’t be afraid to tell them how much you appreciate them.

3. Celebrate Them (And You Too): Whether it’s their promotion or that they made it through a rough week, let them know you see them. And let them do the same for you.

4. Lower the Bar: Friendships don’t need constant attention to be valuable. Some of the best ones pick up right where they left off, no matter how much time has passed.

   
   

Take a Moment to Reflect

Who’s been there for you this year? Who’s cheered you on, laughed at your bad jokes, or reminded you to keep going? How can you return the love?

A Gentle Boundary Reminder

Not every friendship lasts forever. And that’s okay. People change, life happens, and sometimes the best way to honour a connection is to let it go. The friendships that do stick? Pour some energy into those beauties. They’re the ones that are worth it.

Final Thoughts

Platonic relationships are underrated, but they’re the backbone of a rich, joyful life. This season, take a moment to nurture them. Text your bestie, grab a coffee with that friend you’ve been meaning to see, or simply let someone know they matter to you.

Because when it comes down to it, life’s better when we show up for each other.