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400 Friends but Who Can I Call?

Breaking through isolation and building community.

Social Life
3 Things to Avoid in Polarizing Times

Val Walker MS on February 20, 2024

What can derail a conversation, especially a political or emotionally charged discussion? Being preachy, pushy, and presumptuous.

What can derail a conversation, especially a political or emotionally charged discussion? Being preachy, pushy, and presumptuous.

Loneliness
Easing Loneliness With Wonder, Awe, and Nature

Val Walker MS on November 24, 2023

Our awe-inspiring moments with wildlife that take our breath away can restore our sense of belonging in the world, especially when we feel lonely. Wonder opens us to connection.

Our awe-inspiring moments with wildlife that take our breath away can restore our sense of belonging in the world, especially when we feel lonely. Wonder opens us to connection.

Friends
When You Earn Less Than Your Friends

Val Walker MS on August 27, 2023

Friendships don't have to end over a wealth gap. Despite the stigma of talking about money, there are honest, compassionate ways to talk address the elephant in the room.

Friendships don't have to end over a wealth gap. Despite the stigma of talking about money, there are honest, compassionate ways to talk address the elephant in the room.

Loneliness
A Doomscrolling Self-Assessment

Val Walker MS on May 31, 2023

We know that uncontrolled preoccupation with news is bad for us; here's a quick self-assessment of how news gets to you, and to your nerves.

We know that uncontrolled preoccupation with news is bad for us; here's a quick self-assessment of how news gets to you, and to your nerves.

Career
5 Myths About Integrity—and 5 Reassuring Truths

Val Walker MS on March 3, 2023

Living with integrity doesn't mean we must be heroic, selfless, and saintly. But we can make integrity work for us with small, modest wins every day.

Living with integrity doesn't mean we must be heroic, selfless, and saintly. But we can make integrity work for us with small, modest wins every day.

Friends
12 Ways to Comfort Friends Who've Had a Rough Year

Val Walker MS on December 9, 2022

The holidays offer ways to comfort loved ones who may have survived a year of disappointments and hardship. Even small acts of kindness provide mutual comfort.

The holidays offer ways to comfort loved ones who may have survived a year of disappointments and hardship. Even small acts of kindness provide mutual comfort.

Ghosting
7 Myths About Ghosting, and the Truth

Val Walker MS on September 16, 2022

Research on ghosting has greatly increased over the past three years. The trends are becoming clearer—and it's time to bust a few myths.

Research on ghosting has greatly increased over the past three years. The trends are becoming clearer—and it's time to bust a few myths.

Ghosting
7 Ways to Support a Friend Who's Been Ghosted

Val Walker MS on June 21, 2022

Being ghosted can leave us with an ambiguous sense of loss that is often dismissed by others. A friend can listen and validate reactions to this inexplicable, unresolvable grief.

Being ghosted can leave us with an ambiguous sense of loss that is often dismissed by others. A friend can listen and validate reactions to this inexplicable, unresolvable grief.

Ghosting
How to Recover from Being Ghosted, Breadcrumbed, or Played

Val Walker MS on October 28, 2021

In times of uncertainty, broken commitments, and erratic behaviors, we need people who live with integrity. When we've been ghosted, we can heal by reclaiming our own integrity.

In times of uncertainty, broken commitments, and erratic behaviors, we need people who live with integrity. When we've been ghosted, we can heal by reclaiming our own integrity.

Breadcrumbing
The Emotional Pain of Being Breadcrumbed

Val Walker MS on August 4, 2021

The noncommittal behavior of stringing someone along—breadcrumbing—is on the rise, and preliminary research shows it's more damaging than ghosting.

The noncommittal behavior of stringing someone along—breadcrumbing—is on the rise, and preliminary research shows it's more damaging than ghosting.

Ghosting
The Terms of Noncommitment: Ghosting, Breadcrumbing, More

Val Walker MS on May 17, 2021

Disappearing acts and being strung along are normalized in our relationships as well as careers. Here is an introduction to some new terms in the lexicon of noncommittal behaviors.

Disappearing acts and being strung along are normalized in our relationships as well as careers. Here is an introduction to some new terms in the lexicon of noncommittal behaviors.

Friends
5 Myths and Realities About Finding Your Tribe

Val Walker MS on March 5, 2021

One of the kindest things we can do for ourselves in lonely and changing times is reframe the way we define our tribe. Could we be a bit more open and agile about who fits?

One of the kindest things we can do for ourselves in lonely and changing times is reframe the way we define our tribe. Could we be a bit more open and agile about who fits?

Grief
The Loneliness of Unshareable Grief

Val Walker MS on December 2, 2020

A common cause of loneliness is grieving something no one seems to understand. Most of us have suffered this grief during 2020. It's time to acknowledge it.

A common cause of loneliness is grieving something no one seems to understand. Most of us have suffered this grief during 2020. It's time to acknowledge it.

Loneliness
10 Common Myths About Lonely People

Val Walker MS on September 30, 2020

Stereotypes about lonely people can cause us to hide our loneliness from others as well as ourselves. But we can break through these myths with facts about loneliness and stigma.

Stereotypes about lonely people can cause us to hide our loneliness from others as well as ourselves. But we can break through these myths with facts about loneliness and stigma.

Spirituality
Resorting to Psychics in Uncertain Times

Val Walker MS on August 31, 2020

Tarot readers and astrologers can be fascinating, but some espouse New Age platitudes that can be troublesome. Grieving people may feel shame for not being positive enough.

Tarot readers and astrologers can be fascinating, but some espouse New Age platitudes that can be troublesome. Grieving people may feel shame for not being positive enough.

Relationships
Rediscovering Your Long-Lost Connections

Val Walker MS on June 30, 2020

A pandemic gives us a perfect excuse to contact our long-lost cousins, friends, or colleagues who could network with us for job leads or share a few laughs and fun memories.

A pandemic gives us a perfect excuse to contact our long-lost cousins, friends, or colleagues who could network with us for job leads or share a few laughs and fun memories.