Summary: Why is making friends in adulthood so tough? On this episode Ashley and Katey discuss the ways that we've tried (and failed) to find friends, how we've learned to change our friendship expectations over time, and some ways that we carved out space for friendship in our busy schedules (even with young kiddos!). If you're looking to make new friends, here are some things you might try: Consider making your home (or a space you like to go) the place where people gather. Invite folks for a potluck dinner, a board game night, or a celebration of a minor holiday. Yes, you'll have to clean up before (and after), but it'll probably be worth it. Ask your friends to connect you with their friends. Think friend blind dates. When an opportunity comes along, say yes. Take the risk and dive in. If you can't get together at the proposed time or if you need to cancel, apologize and make a specific plan to meet up in the very near future. Err on the generous side. Be the one to invite others. Let go of what others "should" do and do what you *want* to do. Make community happen on your terms. What We're Reading and Listening To Ashley recently finished Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson about his work at the Equal Justice Initiative, an organization that provides legal defense for people who can’t afford it. Ashley describes the writing style as "John Grisham-like," which will engross you from the start. Stevenson ends the book by suggesting practical ways for citizens to get involved with ending mass incarceration. Katey devoured an advanced copy of Linda Kay Klein's now-available book Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free. She takes on the purity movement in a no-holds-barred-kind of way that Kindreds listeners will just love. (If you haven't listened to our episode "Dating Rules," go check it out.) Kindreds of the Moment Katey shares about her newest professional endeavor as the newest team member of Crouch & Associates, a performance consulting firm that truly lives into the values we espouse to our clients. If you're involved with a nonprofit organization that needs assistance with fundraising, please reach out to us. Stuff We Talked About The Little Book of Lykke 11 Perfectly Introverted Ways To Make Friends As An Adult” Next time on Kindreds we'll be talking about meditation, prayer, and spiritual practices. Visit the shownotes here: http://kindredspodcast.com/2018/08/28/episode-23-friendship-in-adulthood/ **Have you pledged to support Kindreds on our Patreon page? You can sign up in less than a minute–and for as little as $1 a month. Thanks for helping us cover the cost of making, producing, and sharing this show www.patreon.com/kindreds**
