How to Keep Your Friends When You Start a New Relationship

When you find yourself relishing in the honeymoon stage of your new relationship, you’ve probably forgotten the fact that there are dozens of other things in your life that bring you joy. Namely your friends.

A common thread for queer girls who enter into new relationships, especially younger queer girl who haven’t been around the block as much, is that they dismiss spending time with their friends way to easily. In order to not have all your friends talking about how you’ve fallen off the face of the earth for “this new girl,” or more importantly, lose all your friends completely, make sure to put at least a little effort toward keeping your friends.

Try and maintain daily (or semi-daily) text conversations.

The power of texting is pretty mighty in 2015, and it goes a really long way when it comes to maintaining frienships.

Hang out with your friends without your girlfriend.

Obvs introduce your girlfriend to you friends first, but after that fiasco is kaput, make sure they know that you still want to have your time to connect, without your S/O.

Invite your friends to things that you and your girlfriend do.

Life if you’re going to the beach, or going to spend your Saturday chilling at a park, invite your friends and make an effort to spend some one of time with each of them.

Don’t flake on plans.

Flaking is a #1 way to make your friends begin to give up on you. If you make plans with them, see them through, or run the risk of never being invited to anything ever again.

Do thoughtful things for them.

Buy them flowers on a random day and have it sent to their job. Leave sweet cards on their doormat of their apartment. Make sure they know you still love them and are thinking about them.

Have a girl’s night.

As cliche as a girl’s night might sound (and let’s be real, is) planning one does say a hell of a lot to your friends. And don’t tow along the GF. This is just for you and your friends. And call it a friend’s night if some boys are coming. This is meant to be for you and your peeps.

Set weekly dates to do something with your BFF.

With your closest friend, it’s nice to set a weekly date, so you can see each other consistently. Having a frequent friend date not only gives you both a chance to catch up weekly, it also solidifies to the both of you, that you want to see each other that much. Maybe you can go to a weekly movie or always meet up for a Sunday yoga class. Whatever it is, make sure you can get in some face time.