"If you're like me, you've probably felt guilty about texts from friends that you didn't have time to answer or bridled under the pressure to "stay close" with online friends in a world that never logs off or shuts down. A little more than a decade ago, I authored a book on the rules of friendship. While those rules reflected the culture of that time, the way we communicate and "do friendship " has shifted over the years."
"The increasing breadth and depth of online-first friendships, and how we now value online connections, combine to redefine what close friendships might look like. While online friendships were once viewed as inferior to face-to-face friendships, their role in our social networks is significant, and they provide deep and meaningful connections for us. Friendships Matter Deeply The essential role that friendships play in our emotional, psychological, and physical well-being is undeniable. Researchers, practitioners, and the rest of us know just how important healthy friendships can be."
Friendships can exist in-person or online and both forms can be equally meaningful and supportive. Online-first friendships have expanded in breadth and depth and now occupy significant roles within social networks. Healthy friendships contribute substantially to emotional, psychological, and physical well-being and deserve active protection and maintenance. Avoiding friendship burnout requires honoring friends' boundaries, respecting their bandwidth, and giving emotional space when needed. Small, frequent micro-interactions—like a quick text or an emoji—communicate meaningful support as effectively as larger gestures or planned getaways. The tools for connecting may change, but the value of healthy friendships remains constant.
Read at Psychology Today
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