Let's Talk About Friendship

Hi there, friends, 👋

This week, we’re talking about friendship. The real kind. The kind that shows up during the cry, not when you’ve pulled yourself back together. The kind that shows up for you and your family. The kind that you RELY on for help and the kind that relies on YOU.

But as busy working moms, a lot of us don’t feel we have the time and energy to invest in these types of friendships. And if we’re honest, many of us feel like we have a lot of acquaintances, but we lack those deep relationships.

What if I told you that those deep friendships are CRITICAL to your overall health? Your mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health.

That’s why we’re dedicating this edition to you and your BFF’s…and if you don’t have any close friendships, we’re going to show you how to cultivate those.

You don’t have to carry it all, mama! Deep friendships ensure that you don’t have to.

Enjoy!

-Paula (Founder, CARRY™ Media)

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 🎙️ The Friendship Series

• 👯‍♀️ Tips for Stepping Up Your Friend Game

• 💕 Should Your Partner Be Your Best Friend

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣ 🎙️ The Friendship Series

This entire month on The Paula Faris Show, our founder Paula is talking about all things friendships. Friendships can change SO much as we go through life. And making new friends isn’t always as easy as it was when we were kids. Check out the series to hear about how to cultivate deep friendships (and why it’s essential!), the importance of having friends who are different from you, whether we should be BFF’s with our partner and what to do when you don’t want to be friends with your family. 

2️⃣  👯‍♀️ Tips for Stepping Up Your Friend Game

Remember what it was like to be popular when we were younger? It seemed that the person with the most friends was winning at life. But now as adults? Quantity does not beat quality, especially when it comes to friendships. That’s why it’s vital to cultivate a close-knit group of 3-5 friends who you can trust more than anything. Let’s call them your “inner circle”. To find them, look for three things:

A) AVAILABILITY-are they available and proximate? Do they make an effort? If not, move on.

B) HUMILITY-You need someone that will work through the conflict and doesn’t always have to be right.

C) VULNERABILITY-This starts with you, but your deep friends need to be the ones that show up during the cry, not after you’ve pulled yourself together.

Remember: finding a handful of DEEP, CLOSE friends is essential to your overall health and requires you to initiate. It’s going to be inconvenient at times and we all will be hurt by people. There’s not one friend that is going to check every box as each inner circle friend brings something different to the relationship.

But the MOST IMPORTANT aspect in finding a deep and close friend is availability. And it starts with you. Being that friend that you need and want in your own life. Showing up!

3️⃣ 💕 How to Make Your Partner Your Best Friend

Sure, you love your significant other. But if they’re also your best friend, you’re winning at relationships. No, you don’t need to share every single hobby or do everything together (we need something to talk about over dinner and when the kids leave for college, right?!). And no, they won’t fulfill your need for other female friendships—those are essential. When it comes to your partner, you don’t need to agree on everything, but building a foundation of trust, fun and respect is key. Make sure you prioritize time together that’s not just about logistics. (IYKYK). Date nights are great, but so are silly inside jokes, spontaneous adventures (couples day at an amusement park, anyone?), and having each other’s back after a hard day. Be genuinely curious about their dreams and what’s lighting them up lately. And don’t forget to celebrate each other’s wins (even the small ones, like getting through a tough meeting without telling Pete from accounting to take a hike, or finally fixing that leaky sink.)

🌞 BONUS! Savor Your Summer Workbook

We all know that summertime can mean even more stress for us working moms. That’s why every year at this time, we bring back one of our most helpful resources. Download our free, SAVOR SUMMER WORKBOOK which helps to:

• Identify stress points and recognize what we love about summer

• Create rhythms that set you AND your kids up for success 

• Provide lists and charts for quick access

• Provide scripts to help you own your communication

• Share helpful resources and favorite summer items

📰 IN THE NEWS

Top Companies Are Offering Returnships for Moms Reentering the Workforce

➡️ While internships are generally geared towards young, inexperienced talent, returnships can be the answer for moms who previously stepped away from their careers to raise their kids. These positions, which help moms ease back into the workforce, acknowledge their prior professional experience and help them brush up on their skills with support and dignity. Many lead to permanent positions. Read more about returnships and the companies that are strategically embracing them.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎

for working moms with older children

• If your teen is struggling with their friend group one day, and then can’t spend a moment without them the next, it’s completely normal…But that doesn’t make it any easier for you to know how best to help your kid through this crazy friendship period of ups and downs. This article gives great insight into how parents can support their teens during this wonky time, like the importance of setting boundaries, being a supportive presence, and really understanding peer pressure. It is possible to be a safety net for your teen and guide them through friend uncertainty. Check it out.