Have you ever heard of an "opt-out hangout"? If you haven't, this simple concept might just change your friendships for the better. Every Monday at 10:30 am I meet my friend Adrienne at the same park to go paddleboarding together. Most weeks, it works out perfectly. But here's the thing: we only message each other if we need to cancel. No need for constant confirmation texts or rescheduling back-and-forth. If the weather's not cooperating, we decide whether to cancel or grab coffee or go for...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Last week, Michael's Uncle was staying with us and exploring Seattle. He mostly did his own thing, but on Wednesday night, we invited him to join us at trivia with some friends. Let's put ourselves in his shoes for a second: He's meeting his nephew's six friends with whom he has very little in common at first glance. When I went to introduce him around to friends, I defaulted to his relationship to Michael - "Adam, meet M's Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike, meet Adam." They said some polite hellos and...
3 months ago • 3 min read
If you're feeling like your oldest, longest friends aren't showing up for you the way you hoped they would, I want you to know that you're not alone, and there's nothing wrong with you. This sentiment is more common than you might think. I recently received a voice memo from one of you, who shared their disappointment and confusion over the many times their oldest friends had the chance to be there for them but didn't. They were left wondering, "Is something wrong with me?" First and...
4 months ago • 3 min read
This weekend marked the end of an era for me. Most of my friends have officially tied the knot, and I'm a little sad that the weddings will be so few and far between. I know weddings get a bad rap sometimes, and trust me, as a former wedding planner, I've seen just how crazy they can get. But here's the thing: when it comes to my friendships, weddings have been an absolute gift. Picture this: you're at your friend's bachelor/ette, surrounded by so many important people in their life - their...
4 months ago • 3 min read
You know how we all have that one friend who seems to effortlessly maintain their friendships, no matter how busy life gets? Well, I've got a secret for you: it's not effortless at all! In fact, anyone who makes friendship look easy has likely put in work behind the scenes. I was chatting with an acquaintance yesterday who mentioned that friendship has taken a backseat since having her son. It's a common sentiment, especially when life gets hectic. But then she proudly told me, "I did manage...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Have you ever considered making friends online? I know, I know, it might sound a bit unconventional, but hear me out! The internet has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for connecting with like-minded people. In fact, the podcast episode releasing later this week is with my friend Jenny, who I met online! That's right, we've never met in person, but our friendship is just as real and meaningful as any other. So, how do you go about finding friends online? First, it's important to...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Have you ever heard of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness? It's a concept that reminds us that "wellness" isn't just about hitting the gym or eating our veggies (although those things are important too!). Wellness is about our overall well-being, and there are actually 8 different areas we need to balance to truly feel our best. The 8 dimensions are emotional, spiritual, physical, social, financial, environmental, intellectual, and occupational. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that we just...
5 months ago • 2 min read
We've all been there: a minor inconvenience that spirals into a stressful situation, all because we're hesitant to ask for help. Or worse, because we don't have anyone to call. I share a story in my keynote about how much stress a package delivery caused me... and this weekend while out of town for one night, we had a package delivered. Here I was, yet again. Cue the frustration and self-blame: Why didn't I hold the mail? Why did I order that package knowing we'd be away? Should I pay for a...
5 months ago • 3 min read
This past weekend, I attended a memorial service for "the most community-oriented person I've ever met"—his name was Larry. His memorial left me with three powerful takeaways that I want to share with you today. 1: The Power of Presence As I stepped into the memorial service for Larry, Michael's uncle by marriage, I was overwhelmed by the love and admiration that filled the room. Larry had always been a beacon of warmth and kindness, but it wasn't until that moment that I truly understood the...
5 months ago • 4 min read