Gifts for long distance friends to say you miss the shit out of them
Got a friend moving away? Going to college? Teaching abroad? Or maybe you’re in a long distance relationship that needs some care via air mail? Whatever the case, sometimes you want to send some love, some cheer, some sympathy, or an “I cannot wait to see your fucking face” to someone far away.
We’ve got postal service than can deliver your feelings (be they card, food, or booze variety) to anywhere you want. I went a-hunting to see if I could find some suitably awesome gifts for long distance friends to give you some ideas.
How to reach out to a friend with social anxiety
I have a friend with severe social anxiety and depression. He lives with his mom now, doesn’t leave the house, and I (and all of our shared friends) haven’t seen him in about two years. All of our attempts to email/call/visit haven’t worked and he won’t reply. I know he’s in therapy, but I’d love to help him if I can.
Is there any way I can reach out in a way that would feel safe for him?
Aromanticism: What if romantic love goes extinct?
A musician I adore named Moses Sumney has a new album called Aromanticism. It’s an exploration of our cultural fixation on romantic love, something that Moses says he’s never experienced.
I’m reminded of this article: Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? And all the news about how teens aren’t having as much sex.
And then I think about this old post I wrote about how my grandchildren will shock me…
Gifts to welcome your newly announced childfree friend into the fold
Being childfree (as in, choosing not to have children for any number of reasons) hasn’t been and still isn’t well accepted in a lot of circles, particularly more traditional ones. So the decision to declare yourself childfree to friends and family can be met with a lot of push-back.
If you find yourself in a situation where a friend has told you they have decided to be childfree, perhaps you’d like to give them a token of support, and these childfree gifts are an awesome solution. Whether they’ll be a traveling adventure-seeker, an kick-ass aunt or uncle, a devoted fur parent, or none of the above, there’s a way to say you support them at every turn…
Learning from Jerry Seinfeld and Kesha: How to politely decline a hug
I recently watched a video of Jerry Seinfeld rebuffing a potential hug from Kesha with some serious awkwardness. The question is: how does someone who doesn’t want a hug (a totally okay thing for lots of legit health/social/psychological/whatever reasons!) go about politely decline a hug without seeming like a dick who doesn’t know who Kesha is?
What people totally get wrong about you when you’re a private person
I envy anyone who is able to open up to acquaintances and sometimes even strangers about their personal lives. When shit goes down in their lives, you’ll hear about it, and there seems to be something really freeing about that. I wouldn’t know as I’m one of those super private people who needs a subpoena to get anything out of me.
The problem is, if you don’t talk about your life, people will assume some pretty off-base things about you. Here’s what I’ve found that people will totally get wrong about you when you’re a private person…
My childfree friends are a balm to my soul: In praise of childfree women
I know the reasons that you’re childfree are numerous. You may consciously choose it. You may want kids later but not right now. You may be grappling with infertility. You may be looking for the right partner or not sure what you’re looking for at all.
I know that media and culture tells you that the clock is ticking. That motherhood is the ultimate feminine destiny; the next epoch.
But you know what, Childfree Woman? I’m a mom and I think that’s absolute bullshit.
What NOT to do when your friends have a newborn
In the first couple of weeks after giving birth, I found myself showered with food, presents, and presence. But it was really after the six weeks passed that I found myself quite alone — people weren’t visiting anymore, but it was still hard for me to get out with a newborn. This is the best time to be there for your friend. But here are some of my major don’ts, that you could help manage if you’re there!