Frientimacy: Finding Our Way to More Fulfilling Friendships
Ever feel like friendships are too complicated, superficial, or disappointing? And yet you don’t want to swear them off completely because you also crave the feeling of having close, comfortable, and meaningful relationships? You’re not alone! In the first season of Frientimacy, social relationships expert Shasta Nelson goes behind the scenes of her own real-life friendships to unpack the challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them to forge an even stronger bond. Because let’s face it—even the healthiest relationships encounter conflict! By shedding light on two sides of the story, Frientimacy can inspire and teach us how to navigate similar issues in our own friendships.
Shasta is the author of 3 books on adult friendships and social relationships, a popular resource for media such as the New York Times and the Today Show, and an in-demand keynote speaker. Now she’s getting vulnerable to reveal how even a social relationships expert can experience adversity in her friendships . . . and emerge with more meaningful connections. It may not always be easy navigating jealousy, busyness, hurt feelings, or different life stages, but sometimes it’s worth it, so listen in if you’re ready for more fulfilling friendships! To connect with Shasta on her other platforms, follow her on Instagram at @shastamnelson, or subscribe to her YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/shastanelson.
Frientimacy: Finding Our Way to More Fulfilling Friendships
The Friendship that Navigated a Falling-Out with a Mutual Friend (Kat)
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After going through a friendship breakup, Shasta faced a dilemma: how would she navigate this with their mutual friends, and how much was she going to pull them into the drama? In this episode, she sits down with her friend Kat, who still maintains her own relationship with Shasta’s ex-friend. They shed insight on how they’ve been able to discuss the friendship breakup without being catty or ruining Kat’s own friendship. Shasta opens up about seeing an ex-friend move on, and shares how to deal with jealousy or pain when your mutual friends spend time with them. Finally, they reflect on how to choose the best response and minimize the fallout after a friendship breakup, and if there’s ever a case when you should expect your mutual friends to choose sides.
In this episode, Shasta and Kat answer the questions:
- How do you navigate talking about the falling-out, whether you’re the one going through the friendship breakup or you’re the mutual friend?
- How does it feel to be the person navigating a friendship breakup when other people are involved? How does it feel to be the mutual friend of two people who’ve ended their friendship?
- Is it possible and okay for your mutual friends to maintain their relationships with your ex-friend? Is there ever a reason your mutual friends should not remain friends with someone you’ve had a falling-out with?
- If your mutuals stay friends with your ex-friend, how do you deal with the pain or jealousy?
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Resource Links:
- Watch the “Surviving a Friendship Breakup” series
- J. S. Park’s book on grief: As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve
- Shasta’s books on belongingness and human connection:
Connect with Shasta on her other platforms: