When a friendship ends, there are no rituals, no casseroles, no collective sighs. The ache arrives quietly, like a book left unfinished on the table. Research shows that unacknowledged grief can linger, shaping trust and self-worth. Honoring what was lost, creating small rituals, and giving ourselves permission to feel can turn silence into healing. Even grief without ceremony deserves a place in our story.

Meaningful friendships begin with self-care. By nurturing ourselves, we attract genuine connections that reflect who we truly are.

Early this year, I found myself celebrating New Year’s with my friends over some takeout, card games, and giddy excitement for the...