MIDLIFE FRIENDSHIP EXPECTATIONS

WELCOME TO MIDLIFE MEMOS
THE SWAMP GODDESS® GUIDE TO MENOPAUSAL MAYHEM AND AGING ANGST
BLOG #73 by Wendy Kyman, Ph.D.
MIDLIFE FRIENDSHIP EXPECTATIONS

It is natural to have friendship expectations.
Some expectations are realistic; a few are not.
How do we distinguish between the two?

One simplistic method is to measure our friends' reactions.
If our expectations are - more or less - easily met, it is reasonable to
assume they are realistic.

By that same measure, if our expectations are not met, do we assume they
are unrealistic?
Maybe, maybe not

In fact, our expectations may be realistic, but we expect things from friends
who cannot, or will not, give us what we need and want.
In other words, our expectations are realistic, but we ask things from friends
who, for various reasons (excuses), place limits on their giving.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Double check your expectations.
Are they expectations most people would find acceptable?
Then, double check your friends.
Are the folks you choose as friends unable, or unwilling, to meet expectations
generally considered acceptable (by most people)?

UNHOMEWORK
What are your friendship expectations? Be specific.
Do you have different expectations for different friends? Why?
Play match. Make a list of 5 friends. Write your expectations for each.
Note similarities and differences.

NEXT WEEK'S TOPIC
Meeting friendship expectations is ...

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Keep scrolling all the way to read any, or all, of the earlier Midlife Memos,
especially 'The Birth of Swamp Goddess.' I bet you will relate.