1 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Therapy for Black Girls podcasts, where we 2 00:00:07,160 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: focus on all things mental health, personal development, and all 3 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: the small decisions we can make to become the best 4 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:20,239 Speaker 1: possible versions of ourselves. I'm your host, Dr Joy Harden Bradford, 5 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:25,600 Speaker 1: a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia. To find more information 6 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: and to get resources, visit the website at Therapy for 7 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:33,199 Speaker 1: Black Girls dot com. And while I hope you love 8 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: listening to and learning from the podcast, it is not 9 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: meant to be a substitute for a relationship with a 10 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 1: licensed mental health professional. Hey, y'all, welcome to session six 11 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast. I hope that 12 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 1: you're doing well and they're starting off me strong. For 13 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 1: everybody who's looking at graduating in a couple of weeks, 14 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: I hope that you're getting really excited. Maybe feeling a 15 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 1: little stressed, but I'm sure excited, not all the same. 16 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: So today we will start our celebration of Mental Health 17 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: Awareness Month. Um So, every year in May we celebrate 18 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 1: Mental Health Awareness Month. And I want to give a 19 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 1: huge shout out to one of our TBG listeners, Brandy 20 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: um So. She had a great idea of talking about 21 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:33,120 Speaker 1: relationships UM. And so that's what we're gonna do for 22 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 1: the month of me. We're gonna talk about a variety 23 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:39,199 Speaker 1: of different relationships. So today we are going to start 24 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:43,120 Speaker 1: with friendships. So today in the no copay needed section, 25 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: I want to talk about a couple of different things. 26 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: So I want to spend some time talking about an 27 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: interesting article that came out in Psychology Today, UM earlier 28 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 1: in March. And then I want to talk about where 29 00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 1: we can find friends. So I often get the um 30 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 1: that come plaint or the difficulty that it's hard to 31 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: find friends kind of once you're out of college and 32 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: not related to an education system somehow, and that becomes 33 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:12,800 Speaker 1: more difficult for people. And then I also want to 34 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 1: talk about how to be a good friend and how 35 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:18,119 Speaker 1: to know when it's time for a friendship to end. 36 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: So UM starting with the article from Psychology Today. So 37 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 1: the article and again all of this will be included 38 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: in the show notes. You can go to therapy from 39 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 1: black Girls dot Com Session six UM. So the article 40 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: is called eleven Surprising things good friendships do for you. 41 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,079 Speaker 1: The key word here is good, but again we'll talk 42 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 1: about that a little later. So eleven things UM Lowered 43 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 1: blood pressure increased pain threshold, better immune system, a lowered 44 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 1: risk for heart disease and stroke, improved outcomes for certain cancers, 45 00:02:54,560 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: increased overall longevity, increased creativity, imp of professional opportunities, reduce 46 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:08,919 Speaker 1: cognitive decline, improved prognosis after trauma, and a reduced risk 47 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: for depression. So you can read more about all of 48 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 1: those things. But if you listen to that list, I mean, 49 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 1: that's definitely no, not a bad areas of improvement to have. 50 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 1: So when you think about good friendships and how they 51 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:24,560 Speaker 1: can help with all of those issues, we really want 52 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 1: to have good friends in our lives. So, like I 53 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:30,839 Speaker 1: mentioned before, UM I often hear the complaint that it's 54 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 1: really hard to find friends, and maybe after you are 55 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: out of UM undergrad, maybe even out of grad school. 56 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 1: So I want to give you some ideas about UM 57 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 1: some some places and things you can do to maybe 58 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: find friends. And these will just be UM, you know, 59 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: initial introduction, so you know you won't necessarily find your 60 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: new best friend in any of these places, although you 61 00:03:55,320 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 1: definitely can. We're talking about where can you find like 62 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 1: minded people, because that's really the foundation of a good 63 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 1: friendship is somebody who is like minded, not necessarily um 64 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: completely like you or will agree with you on everything. 65 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 1: But somebody who you know kind of at that core, 66 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 1: at their core, UM is somebody who you can connect with. 67 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:21,159 Speaker 1: So these are some ideas about places you can find, 68 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 1: um some people who could potitially become good friends for you. 69 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: UM So meet up dot com. Um So, if you're 70 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 1: not ever going to meetup dot com, um, it's uh. 71 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: I wouldn't necessarily say a social networking, social media kind 72 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 1: of site, but it definitely is a place where people 73 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: can list and open groups for a variety of different things. 74 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: UM So, if you're interested in learning how to do 75 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:49,920 Speaker 1: computer coding, or if you're interested in photography, or if 76 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:53,920 Speaker 1: you're interested in um like Mommy and Me play play 77 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 1: date groups, UM. Interested in a book club, UM, interested 78 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 1: in trying out new restaurant US in your town's meetup 79 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: dot com can definitely be a good resource for you. 80 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 1: So you just go on there and type in the 81 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: closest city to you or a city that you're interested 82 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:13,400 Speaker 1: in exploring, and you see what groups are available, and 83 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: you then join and it will give you information about 84 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: meetups that will be happening soon related to that area. 85 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 1: So I definitely encourage you to check that out if 86 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: you haven't. Another one is Facebook groups, So there are 87 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: Facebook groups for just about anything, UM, anything and everything. 88 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: So if you're interested in starting a business and it's 89 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: very similar to meet up in UM in some ways 90 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:38,840 Speaker 1: that stuff that Facebook groups don't have the built in 91 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 1: kind of Okay, we're definitely going to meet up to 92 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 1: do this on a certain day and time. Facebook groups 93 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: tend to be more discussion, but you can definitely, you know, 94 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 1: take those discussions offline if you're interested UM. So if 95 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 1: you do a search for areas that you're interested in 96 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 1: on Facebook, you will likely find some groups that would 97 00:05:56,800 --> 00:06:00,479 Speaker 1: be of interest to you. UM. Church groups so if 98 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:02,960 Speaker 1: you are a part of any kind of church or 99 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:06,719 Speaker 1: faith community, then typically there will be some either a 100 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: small discussion groups associated or UM singles, kinds of events 101 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 1: or couples kinds of events, UM different interest groups as 102 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 1: a part of the larger faith community. So I definitely 103 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 1: would encourage you to check those out. Also, any volunteer 104 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 1: or community organizations, so things like the Junior League or UM, 105 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 1: the National Urban League, different kinds of community and civic 106 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 1: organizations can be opportunities for you to get involved UM 107 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:38,160 Speaker 1: and you know, kind of give back to your community 108 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:41,160 Speaker 1: and do great things in your community, but also you 109 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 1: meet people who are also interested in those things, and 110 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:46,359 Speaker 1: then you tend to kind of connect around those issues. 111 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,599 Speaker 1: Another good way I think, UM you can meet people 112 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:53,479 Speaker 1: who are similar to you or maybe like minded, is 113 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 1: through Twitter chats. So if you're if you're not active 114 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 1: on Twitter, then I definitely would encourage you to, you know, 115 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 1: open up an account and see what's going on, because 116 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: I definitely have found some very good connections and made 117 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: some friends on Twitter UM that have been very meaningful 118 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 1: to me. And so some of the popular Twitter chest 119 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 1: that I've seen that may be of interest to you. UM. 120 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: There's one called side of Sister, and these will again 121 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: I'll be included in the set in the show notes 122 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:24,680 Speaker 1: UM Side of Sista, and this is for Black women 123 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:28,560 Speaker 1: in higher education UM kind of like a support and 124 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 1: encouraging each other to talk about the issues that affect 125 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:35,559 Speaker 1: affect Black women in academia. UM. There's another one called 126 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:39,040 Speaker 1: her Movement UM for people who are interested in kind 127 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: of entrepreneurial kinds of things. And then there's another pretty 128 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: popular one called Black Creative, so people who have a 129 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 1: creative type business or interested in a creative business. UM 130 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: get together once a month to talk about different issues 131 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,679 Speaker 1: that impact black creatives. So I have found those UM 132 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 1: chats to be really interesting and have met some really 133 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: cool people through some of those chats, so I would 134 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 1: encourage you to again check those out. UM. You can 135 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 1: also use Twitter and Instagram UM to look for podcast hashtags. 136 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: So one of the most popular ones is hashtag pods 137 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: in color um and this is a hashtag that's used 138 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 1: to promote podcasts that have hosts of color UM. And 139 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: so if you are into podcasts, I mean, if you're 140 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 1: listening to this one, I'm guessing that you listen to 141 00:08:29,240 --> 00:08:32,320 Speaker 1: probably at least a few others, and so this I 142 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: think is a really cool way to find other people 143 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 1: who are listening to the same podcast that you're listening 144 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 1: to and strike up some conversation around that. So I know, UM, 145 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: you know, like they're always these viral UH podcasts that 146 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 1: will come out. So the most recent one was as 147 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:52,560 Speaker 1: Town and Missing Richard Simmons. So if you scroll through 148 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:55,559 Speaker 1: those hashtags, then you can find other people who are 149 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: talking about those things. And so I know, I really 150 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,840 Speaker 1: like when I'm finishing an episode or finishing a podcast 151 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 1: to talk with other people about those things, about what 152 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:07,080 Speaker 1: I thought and you know, did you have a different 153 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:09,679 Speaker 1: opinion about something? And so it's really cool to kind 154 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: of follow those hashtags and join the conversations with other people. 155 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 1: And they also have UM Facebook discussion groups, so you 156 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 1: can also find UM podcast discussion groups on Facebook, or 157 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 1: if there isn't one for your favorite podcast, then you 158 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 1: may think about UM, you know, starting one, starting a 159 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 1: Facebook discussion groups so that you can get together with 160 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 1: other people who were interested in the podcast and chat 161 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 1: about that. Another way I think it would be good 162 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 1: for you to meet some people who could potentially turn 163 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: into good friends is through UM group. Physical activity, so 164 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 1: things like zoomba, Orange Theory, cross fit, UM, even some 165 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:50,840 Speaker 1: rectly kinds of things. So I know a lot of 166 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 1: cities will have things like co ed kickball teams or 167 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 1: softball or flag football, those kinds of things I think 168 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: are really interesting UM and is a way for you 169 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 1: to get some good exercise as well as meet some 170 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 1: new people. So check those out. And if you have 171 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 1: other ideas, are things that you feel like I left 172 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: off the list that would be helpful to other people 173 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: than definitely UM send that to us in the hashtag 174 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 1: TBG in session. So let's move on to how we 175 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 1: can actually be a good friend. So once we kind 176 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:26,680 Speaker 1: of find these people or we already have friendships that 177 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 1: have been developed, how do we actually maintain these friendships 178 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 1: and be good friends to these people. So one of 179 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: the first ways I think, and and a lot of 180 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: this is also kind of um draped over the background 181 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:47,960 Speaker 1: of how big social media is in our lives, because 182 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: one of the first things that I think we need 183 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: to pay attention to is really making sure that we 184 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: are recognizing the important achievements that happened in the lives 185 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 1: of our friends. So I think it it's really easy 186 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 1: when we're kind of keeping up with people on Facebook 187 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 1: and Instagram to kind of see they got this new 188 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 1: promotion or they just passed this exam for their career, um, 189 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 1: and we like it, or we retweeted or we you know, 190 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 1: hard it, um. And so it looks as if we're 191 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: paying attention and you know your friend, you may think, oh, 192 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:22,040 Speaker 1: my friend knows that I'm paying attention to this, but 193 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:25,679 Speaker 1: it is actually much more meaningful to either send your 194 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:29,839 Speaker 1: friend a private message or text message or even phone call, 195 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:32,960 Speaker 1: um give that person a phone call to actually let 196 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 1: them know that how proud you are of their achievement um, 197 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:39,199 Speaker 1: and to let them know that you're actually paying attention UM. 198 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,480 Speaker 1: So again, you know, it gets really easy and it 199 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 1: seems like we're paying attention and um giving credit to 200 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,360 Speaker 1: our friends. But you know, when you get two hundred 201 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:50,080 Speaker 1: likes on something, it's really easy to kind of miss 202 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: that you may have liked or um kind of giving 203 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 1: me a thumbs up on whatever recent new thing is 204 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:58,120 Speaker 1: happening in my life. So for somebody who you call 205 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 1: a friend, you know, trying to make that extra step 206 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: and take the extra effort of actually sending a personal 207 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 1: message or an email or even a card. Um. You know, 208 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 1: good old snail meal sometimes goes a long way. So 209 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 1: in the short term, you know, do those things, send 210 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: an email, the text message, or a card. But then 211 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 1: I think it's also important to kind of follow up 212 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,680 Speaker 1: with trying to get together with that person soon. So 213 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 1: you know, somebody who just got a big promotion or something, 214 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 1: that's a reason to celebrate. Somebody who just defended a 215 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 1: dissertation or defendit a thesis, those are reasons to celebrate. 216 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 1: So you know, in the short term. You can start 217 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:35,640 Speaker 1: with a text message, but definitely do try to plan 218 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 1: to get together to you know, take them out for 219 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:40,559 Speaker 1: a drink or for a meal, um, as soon as 220 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 1: you both are available to do that. I also think 221 00:12:43,920 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: it's important to make standing dates UM that are non 222 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 1: negotiable with your friends. So if you are lucky enough 223 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 1: to have good friends who are close to you physically, 224 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:55,920 Speaker 1: then you know, can you make a weekly or bi 225 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:59,480 Speaker 1: weekly standing date to get together to watch one of 226 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 1: your favorite shows, or have a dinner date or um, 227 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 1: go for a walk around the park, whatever you decide. 228 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 1: But those things need to be not negotiable. So if 229 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 1: we're saying we're going to schedule this time, really there 230 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: should not be anything besides emergencies that should come up 231 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:18,679 Speaker 1: to UM get you to take that off of your calendar. 232 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: You know, we often make time for the things that 233 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 1: are important to us, and so if our friends are important, 234 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:26,680 Speaker 1: and they should be if we're calling them friends, then 235 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: make the time to connect with them and you know, 236 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: trying to stay away from canceling that. Another point that 237 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 1: is important to think about when we're thinking about how 238 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 1: to be a good friend is learning how to cheer 239 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,839 Speaker 1: them on even when it's difficult. So I know we're 240 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 1: kind of smack dab in the middle of wedding season, 241 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:47,679 Speaker 1: and you know, every day there are new engagements and 242 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:51,000 Speaker 1: babies being born. Um. And like we talked about um 243 00:13:51,040 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: on the podcast with John that you heard last week. UM, 244 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:57,839 Speaker 1: you know, sometimes those situations can be really tough for 245 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 1: us if that hasn't happened for us us and it's 246 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 1: something that we desire. But I think it's important to 247 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:05,720 Speaker 1: learn how to cheer your friends on even when it 248 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:08,680 Speaker 1: is tough for you, So kind of pulling yourself out 249 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:11,679 Speaker 1: of the center and really being able to join with 250 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: them in celebrating their moment so you can cry about 251 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:17,760 Speaker 1: it later and be sad and be upset, but you 252 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 1: definitely should make an extreme effort to be there for 253 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: your friend and really celebrate their milestones. Another issue that 254 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 1: I think is important to address when we're talking about 255 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 1: being a good friend is learning how to respond to 256 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:35,840 Speaker 1: our friends in the way that they need as opposed 257 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 1: to what we would need in a situation. UM. You know, 258 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: so if your friend is somebody who does a whole 259 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:46,880 Speaker 1: lot of processing and really just wants to talk things out, UM, 260 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:49,400 Speaker 1: you jumping in with a quick solution or a quick 261 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 1: fix for the problem is probably not what they need, 262 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 1: so they probably need some space and time to kind 263 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 1: of talk through things before they want to get to 264 00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: the solution phase. If they even want to get to 265 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: this solution phase. You know, sometimes it's helpful to just 266 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: talk things through and then you kind of get to 267 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: the answer that way. So I think it it is 268 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: also good, UM for you to ask your friend, if 269 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: they haven't already told you, to ask them, what do 270 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 1: you need for me in this moment, so that you're 271 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 1: making sure that you're providing the kind of support that 272 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 1: they actually need and not just what you think you 273 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:26,840 Speaker 1: would like in a situation. And a final issue UM 274 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 1: that I think often comes up related to friendships, UM 275 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 1: is allowing friends to actually be good friends to us. 276 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:37,640 Speaker 1: So a lot of times I will hear from women 277 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: that I work with, UM, I'm the person that everybody 278 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 1: comes to, but I don't want to burden other people 279 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 1: with my issues, And I just want us to kind 280 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: of really stop and think about what we're saying when 281 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 1: we say something like that, So people can come to 282 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: me and I trust UM that I can help them, 283 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 1: and I trust you know, they trust me with their 284 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 1: secrets and trust me to help work through their issues. 285 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 1: But then I don't want to get to reciprocate that. 286 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 1: So in some ways, in subconscious and maybe even conscious ways, 287 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 1: we are communicating that there is a lack of trust there, 288 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 1: that you cannot trust that this person will be available 289 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 1: to you and be able to help you in difficult 290 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: situations in the same ways that you have been able 291 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: to help them. So I think it's really important that 292 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: to be a good friend, you also allow your friends 293 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 1: to be good friends to you. So now that we've 294 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 1: talked about how to be a good friend, I think 295 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 1: we also have to look at what happens when the 296 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 1: friendships are not so good. So, you know, we started 297 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:42,680 Speaker 1: this segment talking about um eleven ways that a good 298 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 1: friendship is really healthy for you, but when a friendship 299 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 1: is not so good, it can really be detrimental to 300 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 1: your health. UM. So what happens when unfortunately, sometimes friendships 301 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 1: have to end um or people are really not good 302 00:16:57,160 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 1: friends to us? Um So some signs are things that 303 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 1: you want to look out for related to when it 304 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 1: may be time to end a friendship. UM. So, if 305 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 1: the person is gossiping or spreading rumors about you, then 306 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 1: I think you would really want to look at is 307 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: this somebody that you need to continue to have in 308 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,639 Speaker 1: your life? Um? If the person can't ever really show 309 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:22,719 Speaker 1: up for you, So every time you have an achievement, 310 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 1: or every time you get a promotion, every time you 311 00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:28,160 Speaker 1: get a good grade on an exam, then they are 312 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 1: trying to one up you. Um so they're always making 313 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:34,159 Speaker 1: attempts to downplay your accomplishments and never really giving you 314 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:37,119 Speaker 1: the credit. There is enough space in a relationship and 315 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:40,360 Speaker 1: a healthy relationship for everybody to have some shine. So 316 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:43,159 Speaker 1: if if your friend or the person that is you know, 317 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:45,959 Speaker 1: a so called friend, is always attempting to kind of 318 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:48,880 Speaker 1: block your shine, then again I think you would question 319 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: is this somebody that I really need to have in 320 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,960 Speaker 1: my life? Um? If the person is possessive of you 321 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:58,880 Speaker 1: and has difficulty with you having other friends, um so, 322 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 1: I think that this is a red flag. And a 323 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,679 Speaker 1: lot of the stuff that we've talked about today is 324 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,639 Speaker 1: completely applicable to a romantic relationship as well. Um, but 325 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 1: you know a friend who doesn't want you to have 326 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:13,119 Speaker 1: other friends, or if you make friends make plans with 327 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: another group of friends, they get really upset and don't 328 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 1: want to talk to you for a week. I think 329 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:22,120 Speaker 1: you would question, you know, how healthy is this, um, 330 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:25,159 Speaker 1: you know, because the level of possessiveness really is a 331 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:30,120 Speaker 1: reflection of that person's difficulty having UM some maturity, UM, 332 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 1: an emotional maturity about a relationship. And so I would 333 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 1: just be very careful about any friends who feel like 334 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:38,119 Speaker 1: they have to be really possessive of you at the 335 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 1: time that they have with you UM me. In. The 336 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 1: final thing that I think is a is a pretty 337 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:48,360 Speaker 1: big red flag related to maybe a relationship or friendship 338 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,880 Speaker 1: needing to end is if the relationship is not reciprocal. 339 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 1: So if you're always there for them, always cheering them on, 340 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:59,919 Speaker 1: you're standing outside of their dissertation defense with a you know, 341 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:05,080 Speaker 1: pom poms and um, you know, a new smoothie, our 342 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,159 Speaker 1: fresh smoothie, and they can't even show up, you know, 343 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 1: for you for the littlest things. Then I think again 344 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 1: you would question, is this somebody that I really need 345 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:17,480 Speaker 1: to have in our life in my life? UM. And 346 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:20,800 Speaker 1: you know, relationships aren't always fifty fifty, so sometimes there 347 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 1: will be UM, you know, your friend could be going 348 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: through something UM pretty big in their lives and that 349 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:29,239 Speaker 1: may require you to be there more for them in 350 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:32,399 Speaker 1: certain situations, but there will come a time when you 351 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:34,719 Speaker 1: will need that person to show up for you. And 352 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 1: if it's always that they are not able to show 353 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: up for you, then the relationship is not reciprocal. So 354 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:43,680 Speaker 1: you may have to look at um cutting your losses 355 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 1: and ending that friendship. So we've talked about the benefits 356 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: of healthy friendships, we've talked about how to find new friends, 357 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,680 Speaker 1: and we've also talked about recognizing some signs of when 358 00:19:54,680 --> 00:19:57,159 Speaker 1: a friendship may need to end. So this is a 359 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,200 Speaker 1: perfect segue for our on the porch question this seek 360 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: and this question asked how do you deal with toxic friends? So, 361 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 1: once we've recognized um that a friendship may be toxic 362 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 1: given the symptoms and signs we talked about before previously, 363 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: one of the first things you want to do is 364 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,160 Speaker 1: to try to have a conversation with your friend. So 365 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: I wouldn't say to cut off a friendship without at 366 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:25,080 Speaker 1: least trying to have a conversation about whether some of 367 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: these things can be resolved. So you would want to 368 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 1: talk with your friend about some of the things that 369 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:33,399 Speaker 1: you're seeing and how things are playing out between the 370 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 1: two of you, and you may also want to suggest 371 00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 1: that your friend seek professional help with a therapist. UM. 372 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: So the key to suggesting professional help with someone is 373 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: to always focus on the behaviors that you've seen. So 374 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:51,400 Speaker 1: if you've noticed that your friend is always canceling plans, 375 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:56,240 Speaker 1: or if you notice that your friend is always asking 376 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: you for something but they're not able to show up 377 00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 1: for you when you need them, that's what you will 378 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:04,240 Speaker 1: want to focus on. Focus on behaviors, do not focus 379 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 1: on feelings. So make it more about the behaviors you've 380 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:09,639 Speaker 1: you've observed and less about how you feel like this 381 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: person has made you feel. And if the person is 382 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:14,920 Speaker 1: open to therapy, then you may see some change in 383 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 1: the relationship. It could be that they have issues that 384 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 1: have not been addressed that you know they just needed 385 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 1: someone to call to their attention and then they can 386 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 1: take care of it. So that would be the first 387 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:27,520 Speaker 1: thing I would suggest is to try to have a 388 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:32,720 Speaker 1: conversation and to suggest professional help if necessary. If you 389 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:36,159 Speaker 1: do that and there is no change, UM, then it 390 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:39,160 Speaker 1: may be time to look at actually ending the relationship. 391 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: So the one the first thing you want to keep 392 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 1: in mind. If you decide to end a friendship is 393 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:47,760 Speaker 1: that you do not want to ghost this person. So 394 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:50,320 Speaker 1: you don't want to disappear, especially if this has been 395 00:21:50,359 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 1: a longstanding friendship. You don't want to just kind of 396 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 1: stop taking their calls and not responding to text messages. 397 00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:59,199 Speaker 1: I do think that it is good to learn how 398 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 1: to say goodbye to people, even if that means somebody's 399 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:05,919 Speaker 1: feelings will be hurt, and so it's important to end 400 00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:11,040 Speaker 1: the in the relationship as honorably as possible. So I 401 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:14,960 Speaker 1: would suggest that, um, you don't go, but don't feel 402 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:18,720 Speaker 1: the need to explain a whole bunch. So you know, 403 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:21,840 Speaker 1: if you get into too much of explanation that likely 404 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:24,000 Speaker 1: will lead you down a very bad path in the 405 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 1: conversation likely won't go anywhere. So UM, you want to 406 00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:31,400 Speaker 1: be clear and to the point, and this may require 407 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 1: you to prepare a script ahead of time if possible. 408 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: So I wouldn't say to read off the script with 409 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:38,960 Speaker 1: this person, but you may want to think about very 410 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 1: clearly and concisely what it is that you want to 411 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:46,120 Speaker 1: say to this person and your reasons for ending the relationship. Um, 412 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 1: and again, try to remain factual and not emotional, so 413 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,760 Speaker 1: focus on the behaviors and the facts of what you've observed, 414 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:56,920 Speaker 1: and don't go too much into the emotion piece. Um. 415 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:58,880 Speaker 1: The other thing I think that you need to think 416 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 1: about when this I think to end the friendship is 417 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:07,480 Speaker 1: to be mindful of not getting dragged into group drama. Um. So, 418 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:10,119 Speaker 1: you know, if you have mutual friends with this person 419 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 1: and you decide to end the relationship, you should expect 420 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:18,200 Speaker 1: that the person will likely not go away quietly, right. Um, So, 421 00:23:18,359 --> 00:23:21,360 Speaker 1: especially if this person is toxic, they will likely try 422 00:23:21,400 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 1: to drag other people into the drama. And so you 423 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:26,000 Speaker 1: just want to be mindful of that to not get 424 00:23:26,040 --> 00:23:29,200 Speaker 1: pulled into that. So I would be prepared to kind 425 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:32,600 Speaker 1: of have a one sentence statement for any mutual friends 426 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:35,040 Speaker 1: about the fact that you've decided to end the friendship 427 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 1: and really just leave it at that, be very mindful 428 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 1: of not kind of getting um pulled back into that, 429 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:43,640 Speaker 1: because then it defeats the purpose of actually ending their friendship. 430 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 1: Right This person then is still wreaking havoc in your 431 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:49,440 Speaker 1: life and you're always talking about it, and mutual friends 432 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: have gotten involved. So do your very best to kind 433 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 1: of stay um out of the free of all of 434 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:58,440 Speaker 1: that and and really again prepare your statement and really 435 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:01,239 Speaker 1: just stick to I'm just that end the friendship, and 436 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:03,560 Speaker 1: that's all I would really prefer to say about that. 437 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:07,440 Speaker 1: So I hope that um answers your question and give 438 00:24:07,480 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 1: you some insight about what you can do if you 439 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:12,440 Speaker 1: do decide that it is time to end the friendship 440 00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:15,439 Speaker 1: with somebody who has been a toxic friend. If you 441 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:18,200 Speaker 1: have other questions and you want to get some feedback 442 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 1: about them, please make sure to send them to me 443 00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:24,880 Speaker 1: at podcast at Therapy for Black Girls dot com. So 444 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 1: that's our episode for this week. I hope that you've 445 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:30,040 Speaker 1: enjoyed it and learned a lot. Please continue to share 446 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:33,399 Speaker 1: with your friends again. The hashtag for the episode for 447 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:36,800 Speaker 1: the podcast is tb G in Session. You can find 448 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:40,439 Speaker 1: us on social media on Instagram and Facebook where Therapy 449 00:24:40,520 --> 00:24:44,000 Speaker 1: for Black Girls and on Twitter were Therapy for Beat Girls. 450 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:47,560 Speaker 1: Looking forward to continue in the conversation with you real soon. 451 00:24:48,119 --> 00:25:18,080 Speaker 1: Take care. WoT doctor, doctor doctor int