Not only can friendships prolong our lives, they can make us happier, too. But its not always easy, find expert advice & editor experiences, here
Friendships should leave us feeling supported, respected and able to be ourselves. But when someone has strong narcissistic traits, the relationship can gradually become confusing, one-sided and emotionally exhausting. The term narcissist is used frequently on social media, but experts say it’s important not to jump to conclusions based on a handful of difficult interactions. “Narcissistic traits […]
Whether you’re arguing about politics, parenting or money, conflict doesn’t have to end in disconnection. After decades mediating everyone from couples in crisis to parties in international conflict, Gabrielle Rifkind shares seven practical ways to have difficult conversations without making them worse. Most of us don’t struggle to agree. We struggle to disagree. Whether the […]
From reply times to “phubbing”, our relationship with phones is still evolving. Psychotherapist Kamalyn Kaur explains why good screen etiquette isn’t about strict rules, but about protecting attention, relationships and real-world connection. Smartphones have transformed the way we communicate, work and socialise, but the social rules around using them are still catching up. From the […]
When life gets busy, relationships can quietly slip away. Yasmina Floyer explores why it happens and shares expert-backed advice on reconnecting with the people who matter most. Words: Yasmina Floyer. Images: Shutterstock After the festive season, many of us find ourselves reflecting on relationships that felt stretched or strained over Christmas — the family tensions, […]
Toxic friendships don’t usually begin with betrayal or cruelty. According to best-selling author and therapist Marisa Peer, they begin the moment one person needs the relationship to stay unequal — and doesn’t care what that does to the other person. All friendships go through difficult periods. Life changes, people drift, misunderstandings happen and the balance […]
Friendship is often portrayed as something that should come naturally. You message back, remember birthdays, make plans and turn up. But for some people, maintaining friendships feels like a full-time job — one that comes with constant guilt, anxiety and the feeling that everyone else has been given a rulebook they somehow missed. If you’ve […]
Friendship break-ups are often quiet, gradual and difficult to explain. Therapists say the pain they cause is rooted in our need for connection, while modern life can make those losses harder than ever to escape. The end of a romantic relationship is something most people recognise. There are conversations, expectations and a familiar language for […]
From always putting others first to never quite feeling included, the role you play in your friendships may have been shaped decades before you even met your closest friends. We tend to think of friendships as something we choose freely as adults. We meet people, we connect, and we decide who feels right for us. […]
Feeling guilty after seeing a friend? Constantly walking on eggshells or questioning yourself? Experts explain the overlooked signs of manipulation in friendships and how to tell when a relationship is no longer healthy. We often think of manipulation as something that happens in romantic relationships, but it can be just as damaging between friends. The […]
Vacations should be a time of relaxation – but when you’re outside of your usual routine, tensions with friends can arise. We asked the experts how to keep trips fun and argument-free this summer. Words: Amy Mica Marsden. Images: Shutterstock. We all deserve a break when we can – and taking a trip with our […]
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