Today I talk about two friendship terms I’ve been hearing more about lately: the “couch friend” and the “errand friend.”

Lots of people want these kinds of friendships because they’re supposed to be easy. You do life’s responsibilities together or you do absolutely nothing together – no planning or panic cleaning required.

But how do you find these friends? How do you find someone you’re so comfortable with that you can just sit back and watch TV in your sweatpants together, and it’s not weird?

My thoughts? If you want a couch friend, you have to BE a couch friend. If you want an errand friend, you have to BE an errand friend. In this episode, I offer a few ideas about how to put that energy out into the world, from embracing spontaneity to encouraging your guests to get their own glasses of water.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• What a couch friend is, what an errand friend is, and why these kinds of relationships are often with already established friends
• Leaning into a more casual energy from the getgo in a new friendship instead of putting your best foot forward
• How I act when I have couch-type friends coming over (hint, I might be in sweatpants, and I’m probably not panic cleaning)
• What kind of energy does somebody bring when they come over? Is it roommate energy? Or are you waiting on them?
• Creative ways you might actually be able to spend time with a couch or errand friend even if you’re a parent or busy adult

Resources & Links:

Like what you hear? Visit my website, leave me a voicemail, and follow me on Instagram and TikTok!

Want to take this conversation a step further? Send this episode to a friend. Tell them you found it interesting and use what we just talked about as a conversation starter the next time you and your friend hang out!

Have you ever gone back to an old friend, only to realize it’s not the same as it was?

This is the experience of today’s guest, Sarah Marie Paige, who in this episode shares about her amazing high school friend group – a group she assumed she’d be able to re-enter without a hitch post law school.

Instead, she learned they couldn’t actually pick up where they left off. Just like with plants, if you don’t water your friendships, they don’t continue to live. So, Sarah created a new community, one that supports her new lifestyle as a lawyer and fantasy writer.

I hope this episode makes those who’ve experienced this phenomenon feel less alone and realize that there are options – you can try to start over with these old friendships, or, like Sarah, you can put your energy elsewhere to build what you need.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Sarah’s high school friends, who kept in touch post graduation via blog for several years but eventually lost touch
• Grieving the loss of old friendships, which change as we grow older, and the crossroads ahead: do you start over with them or find new friends?
• Sarah’s life as a fantasy writer, and her books, each of which is a kind of love letter to a specific friend – plus, how she met new friends who support this passion
• The importance of having a WHY when it comes to community – why are you bringing these people together? What is your shared purpose?

Resources & Links:

Sarah is a fantasy author! Check out her books on her website!

Go back to Episode 12 and learn about my theory about the Roots Framework.

Like what you hear? Visit my website, leave me a voicemail, and follow me on Instagram and TikTok!

Want to take this conversation a step further? Send this episode to a friend. Tell them you found it interesting and use what we just talked about as a conversation starter the next time you and your friend hang out!

There are some friendships we just need to let go of. In some instances, this means letting go of an aspect of a friendship. In others, this actually means letting go of an entire friendship.

Today’s guest is Emily Rogers, a transition and leadership coach and the host of the Leap to Lead podcast (which I was recently a guest on; link in the show notes!). Emily has lived overseas for 20 years and has personally navigated many moves and transitions.

She says that with each transition comes a spring cleaning of sorts with past connections, which requires stepping back and reflecting on the energy of these relationships. Can you alter the expectations of this friendship? How will you connect? Is it time to let go entirely?

Hopefully this episode helps you navigate those transitions with more grace and intention, so that, if you desire, those old friendships can still thrive in their new forms.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• The different kinds of life transitions that affect friendship: physical moves; starting a family; a new romantic relationship; a medical emergency; finishing school, etc.
• Instances in which you SHOULDN’T do the work (for example: a toxic relationship; lack of capacity; you simply don’t want to)
• Recognizing energy: when it’s right, when it’s not right, and when it’s time to shift your friendships (and remembering that what feels right now might not feel right later!)
• The impact of taking a step back six to eight months after a big move or life transition to make sure your friendships aren’t draining (or sliming!) you
• Managing interactions with draining people you have to spend time with (for example, doing an activity together or only hanging out in groups)

Resources & Links

Listen to Emily’s podcast, The Leap to Lead, which I was recently a guest on!

Go back to Episode 12 and learn about my theory about the Roots Framework.

Like what you hear? Visit my website, leave me a voicemail, and follow me on Instagram and TikTok!

Want to take this conversation a step further? Send this episode to a friend. Tell them you found it interesting and use what we just talked about as a conversation starter the next time you and your friend hang out!