Blogging and Friendship

When I first began blogging, I never realized how much it would affect my friendships. My friends have always been supportive of the Warrior Queen movement, starting my magazine and blogging. They still are very supportive of it. I often get comments on my Facebook posts, other friends come to me for help designing logos and projects and others still get email updates.

I am absolutely so appreciative of all of this. It makes me feel confident that what I am doing really is my path in life. Everyone in my life who knows about my blog is supportive of it. I know that isn't always the case but I am one of those lucky few.

Since I have become serious about blogging, however, I have felt myself changing as a friend. I truly believe that I have been making stronger and firmer friendships. I have become more open about my blogging - sharing it with whoever will listen instead of just with my closest friends.

Friendships: Growing Up and Growing Apart

I'm almost twenty-five; and in June, i will have been out of high school for seven years. It doesn't seem to matter how long ago you graduated, though, high school-like drama always seems to find you. Sometimes friendships grow apart, as we grow up but we don't realize the friendship has come to an end until it is filled with toxic drama. Friendship drama is the worst. I am sure we all have it as we grow apart. 
The worst part about growing up and growing apart is knowing when it's time to call it quits.
I've had a few friendships end too late, and others that I thought ended too soon. With another person involved in the friendship, it is easy to feel slighted. 

After high school and college it is harder to keep in contact with friends. We spend 40+ hours a week working, hours in traffic (for commuters like me) and it's easy to come home and just be exhausted. 
When we're in high school, our different interests make our friendships worthwhile. As we grow and get into different careers, we start to have less in common. 
That is when friendships start to fade. It takes a lot more work to stay in contact with someone whose day to day life is different than yours. It doesn't mean that those friendships have to end, just that they take more work. 
Both of you must work harder to keep your friendship strong. It is a careful balance. 
I have had many friendships where I've felt like I've given more and ended up getting slighted; and I've had friendships where I've given my all and I realize now, that it was still not enough. Holding grudges only makes the drama worse.
As we grow apart, letting go earlier is easier. 
Some times, a solution to growing apart is having a true heart-to-heart about your current lives. If you feel like your friend never texts you back, maybe it is because she actually doesn't like texting (or have time) and would prefer a phone call from now on. 
The important part in growing apart and avoiding drama, is to always be graceful in your conversations. A friend may be lashing out at you and your friendship. Don't snap back or ignore his/her feelings. Try to be understanding.

At the same time, it is important to realize when it's over. Sometimes those words "I am sorry, I just don't think we are very good friends anymore." 
Hopefully, your friend feels it, too, or can help you find a way to stop your friendship from growing apart. 
Or there's the drama approach with the response being along the lines of "Fine then don't be my friend" or "You really seem to care so much about me to end the friendship."
Unfortunately, then you are left with a dilemma. Do you enter into the drama or do you just let it be? 
My response? Let it be! 

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And now a fun giveaway!! 

Tiffany @ Endless Bliss | Raewyn @ Be A Warrior Queen Emily @ Designs By Emily F | Angelic @ Simply Sinova | Julia @ EternalGirl Shop Anna @ Flawlessly Flawed | Neisha @ Neisha's View | Janeen @ OkSkinny a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out one of our featured Warrior Queens:

Friendship in Times of Need

It's Tuesday and my weekend was far from relaxing. I've come to realize that this summer isn't necessarily carefree for those closest to me, or myself. The positive vastly outweighs the negative, but I think we all need a little extra love and positive energy right now.

Which has led me to this unstructured post that is an open letter to friends from friends everywhere.

via

Dear you,
Some days I need a little more love and support than others, but I'm too buried to reach for it. Some days I need you to send me that text message of support, that might not even get a reply. Some days I need you to understand that I'm not replying because I do not love and respect our friendship. I have yet to reply because I don't know what words to say, terrified that the one word "Hello" to someone I know cares deeply for me, will break the dam and all of the emotion and tears will come pouring out.

 Some days I need to hear "That blows" instead of a solution to my problems. Other days, I need those solutions and I appreciate every little bit that you do. When you bring food to my house for us to cook and leave the leftovers for later in the week, I appreciate it. When you sit by my side, silent, while I cry, I appreciate it. When you come over and ask for advice, worried to put more on my plate, I appreciate the distraction. 

 I need you to understand that some times I do not talk to you for weeks and weeks even though you might see on Facebook that everything is wonderful and I seem to be spending a lot of time with so-and-so. Please do not get jealous, as I can assure you, my love for you has not faltered. Sometimes I need the support of certain people, but many times, they need mine. I might not text you for a few days because, while I'm busy at work, I am spending every spare second supporting someone else who is going through something tough. I want to talk to you and I won't ignore you. But I can't spend my day worrying that you are upset because I haven't texted you when it goes both ways. 

 Please, do not be afraid to reach out to me any time of day or night that you could need me. I will do everything in my power to love and support you.

Forever your friend,
Me.

Do you have any friends going through a rough time?

Throwback Thursday: Cultivating Your Friendship Garden

Today, I thought I'd throw in a little #ThrowbackThursday action on my blog posts! [I got this idea from Miss Mama Me]

I was looking through my old posts to find one to share and, while this one has always been my favorite, the meaning behind it is definitely standing out at me today. Thanks, Tut for prompting me to post it!

Cultivating Your Friendship Garden

My Carabox Reveal!!!

Yesterday I came home from a job interview to this. 

OMG. I was so excited. I opened the door and dropped my stuff on the floor and began to open the package from Amanda!

I love absolutely everything she got me in my Go Green Carabox. First, I saw the Gud bodywash - which I saw at Target last week and really wanted to buy. I wasn't out of bodywash yet so I thought I could wait. Now I don't have to! Then the Burt's Bees - always my favorite. The Ecotool dual loofah is so cool, I used it in the shower this morning.

 Then. Oh. My. Goodness. I died. A new planner!!! From May 2013-June 2014. I misplaced my planner in my messy room and I haven't been able to justify buying a new one. This one is super super cool because it gives me a month and week view, tabs, note space and even an "important dates" section - so I can put all of my wedding planning dates and magazine stuff on one page!!!

I also recieved a busy girl on the go eye makeup kit which I've stuck in my car. I always do my makeup in the car and attempt to use my rearview mirror so this will be much better. 

The most green thing I got though - a planter's almanac WITH sunflower, green bean and carrot seeds! I don't know how Amanda knew that sunflowers are my favorite flower and those are my two favorite veggies but I am so excited! I told my mom we have to plant them in her garden this weekend. They're organic, too. We have a compost bin and don't use any chemicals so I know that these veggies will grow strong and stay chemical free as well. 

The best part of my package, though, was my card from Amanda. She was so encouraging and I love the breakdown / reminder she left me. I am so excited to have made a blogfriend. Of course, she lives in Ohio! Which would be the second state I visit the most besides home in Cali. (Nevada doesn't count because it's just Vegas!) 

 

Thank you so much for the wonderful package, Amanda. I am so excited for our friendship to grow. 

Raewyn

June Theme Introduction: Friendship

Hey guys, so we're trying something new this month and TODAY's vlog gives a little bit of an introduction. Feedback is definitely welcome!