Sunday with Stacie – Volume 13

Hi everyone! I hope your weekend is going (or went) well. I’m having a pretty uneventful weekend after having a pretty busy week. I took some time off from posting on social media and just enjoyed lots of time spent with friends and family. I know that I’m technically considered an “influencer” for my job but I need a break from having my nose pointed down at my phone all the time. Can you relate?

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to talk about for today’s random post, so I decided to talk about friendships for my Sunday with Stacie post because I think they’re maybe one of the most important parts of all of our lives. I also think that women value friendships in different ways than men do. And us in midlife are so much wiser about our friendships than were when we were younger. So without further adieu, let’s tackle the subject of friendships over 50.

Me and my friend Sophie. We’ve been Instagram friends for years and now we just met in person for the first time.

It can be so wonderful when we find friends who have similar interests, with whom we share many happy times and who are there for us to lean on during the hard times.  That’s the magic of friendships, particularly for us, women over 50. Cherishing these bonds and cultivating new ones can add that special spice to our lives that can make us feel more fulfilled.

Friendships at this stage of life are somewhat different than when we were bubbling teenagers or young adults. Our past experiences, our seasoned wisdom, and our view of life have significantly deepened and widened. We now understand more clearly the importance of genuine friendships.

Firstly, let’s talk about ‘laugh out loud’ friendships. These are the bundles of joy who bring sunshine into our lives even on a cloudy day. Whether it’s a spur-of-the-moment road trip or an impromptu brunch at a charming downtown cafe, these friendships bring an air of spontaneity and fun into our lives.

Then, there are our ‘heartfelt’ friends. These relationships are built on deep emotional bonds. These are the confidants with whom we share our deepest fears and our biggest dreams. Their shoulder is always there for us to lean on and they lend an empathetic ear when we need it the most.

In the mix, we also come across ‘common interest’ friendships. These buddies share our love for hobbies, be it gardening, hiking, cooking, painting or even “influencing”. They provide an extra motivation to explore our passions further and we often feel inspired by their example.

The beauty of friendships over 50 is that they can offer different elements, depending on what you need at the moment. They can foster personal growth, offer emotional support, and bring joy into our lives. They can help us navigate through our midlife years and beyond with grace, wisdom, and lots of laughter.

Research even suggests that these strong social bonds that we develop can make us healthier, happier, and even help us live longer. So, my dear friends, let us cherish these special bonds, build new bridges and embark on this beautiful journey of friendships. It’s never too late to make a new friend or deepen an existing bond. In the end, it’s the shared tea, laughter, tears, and genuine conversations that make life truly meaningful.

I’m so grateful for the new and old friends that I have in my life and I hope that you have deep and meaningful friendships with your girlfriends too!