I typically round-up my top 10 articles, but this year there was a tie between two of them so it's my top 11! Thanks for being a part of this community as a woman who is committed to being a healthy friend in this world! It's been an honor. For all of you who joined us half-way through the year, missed a post here-or-there, or just want to re-read some of the goodies to see if they speak to you where you are now, here are the 11 most read, popular blog posts from the last year:
1. The 5 Biggest Mistakes Women Make In Their Friendships
I want meaningful friendships for you. So very much, I do! But we have to come to the table with healthy expectations and thoughtful beliefs, rather than with hopes, myths, and limiting beliefs that sabotage us from creating substantial relationships. Here are the five most common beliefs that are damaging you and your friendships.
2. The Power of Women in Circle: Ideas for Women’s Groups
In this post I share with you several of the Circles that I have participated in-- each one feeding different parts of my life-- so that you can see how those groups got started, what happens at each of them, and which ones you might crave inviting into your life!
3. The Problem: My Friend Doesn’t Ask Me About My Life!
If you have relationships where you feel like you’re always the one doing most of the listening and question-asking, I challenge you today to consider how you’ve contributed to that imbalance and what you can do to show up in a way that builds the relationship and better supports you.
While it was my high school reunion that prompted me to worry about being judged, the way I showed up differently this time may be of service to you in any setting where you are prone to feel insecure, unaccepted or judged.
5. Men Really Need Intimate Friendships, Too
Are men's and women's friendships all that different? And if they are, is it because they're hard-wired to be different or is that cultural influences shape them differently? This article showcases some fabulous research that you'll want to share with the boys and men in your lives!
6. Do You Feel Like People Pull Away From You?
Some of us might have intense personalities-- lots of energy, words, and enthusiasm that can sometimes overwhelm others. We are who we are so it's not about changing us or saying that there is anything wrong with us... but we do have to learn how to use our energy in meaningful, helpful, and mature ways!
7. 5 Tips for Planning a Girls Weekend There are few things more bonding than time away with friends that extend beyond a dinner or an afternoon together. Throw in an overnight experience and the bond factor goes waaay up! Here are practical tips for planning and inviting women in your life to an adult slumber party.
8. We’re giving the wrong advice for “toxic” friendships!
Friendship experts commonly encourage you to get rid of any friendships that are toxic, stressful, or negative. I have a caveat that I want to add to that! This article shows why we can't simply get rid of people we have called friends without trying to improve the relationship first.
We put a lot of focus on what we'd like to fix or improve in how our friends treat us, and here's a good quiz for helping us hold up the mirror in our own lives to see where we might be able to practice being a better friend!
10. 5 Types of Vulnerability: It’s Way More than Skeletons in Your Closet!
What is vulnerability? We all hear this buzz word all the time but often mistakenly think it means we have to get better at sharing our shameful secrets with people... This blog post covers 5 different types of vulnerability that will help deepen any relationship as you practice them more regularly!
11. The Myth that Keeps You Lonely
When we’re feeling that little nagging angst of loneliness– it’s for her that we want. It’s for the fantasy best friend that we know would be the Thelma to our Louise, the fork to our spoon, the laughter to our jokes. She would be the finisher of our sentences, the reader of our minds, and the affirmer of our hearts. Our time together would be effortless, easy, safe, and comfortable. But then we meet a whole bunch of candidates who aren’t quite good enough to fit our BFF opening so we quietly reject them and keep looking, albeit somewhat disillusioned. This post will help you see the pattern that might be preventing you from feeling more connected!
With gratitude for a year where we all grew in our maturity and loved more deeply,
Shasta
p.s. As always, I welcome your comments! Share with me which one is your favorite!
p.s.s Want more popular articles?
Top Ten Most Popular Friendship Article of 2013