Finding Friendship
Katy Shevel Issue 1 ~ Friday, June 5, 2026
Out of nowhere, a Billy Joel song begins playing on XM radio’s “Classic Hits.” You grin with nostalgia. Ah yes! you recall. It was my buddy Ed’s over-confident, slightly off-key caterwauling of “Piano Man” in that dingy little diner which ultimately cemented our friendship. When was the last time I reached out to him anyway? Inspired to reconnect with your friend, you pick up your cell phone to call him. Buzz! goes the washing machine. In an instant, your attention shifts to textiles and lavender-scented dryer sheets. After starting a new drying cycle, an alert on your computer dings. The email you’ve been anticipating in preparation for tomorrow’s meeting has finally arrived in your inbox. Upon thirty minutes of reading and diligent note-taking, your stomach rumbles. You start rummaging through the kitchen, noticing your fridge looks sparce… One Instacart order and a toasty grilled cheese later, your cell phone lies abandoned somewhere in the couch cushions —as do any plans to reach out to your friend Ed. It’s no secret that modern friendships face many obstacles. Increasing demands on our time put pressure on our prioritizes. Juggling work, family, extracurricular schedules, errands, groceries, exercise, responsibilities around the house, etc.
B lin k
and it’s
a memo
ry!
No matter how good our intentions may be, our friendships often fall to the bottom of the list. Some gradual lack of prioritization is perfectly natural. After all, seasons of life come and go. It’s to be expected that friendships should change and sometimes fade. Sometimes, we make plans to put our friendships first, but ultimately don’t. Often this isn’t even our fault! At least, not directly. Columnist Julie Beck who has devoted a great deal of ink to the subject to friendship writes, “Society has a place for friendships, and it’s on the sidelines. They’re supposed to play a supporting role to work, family, and romance.” Wander casually into any bookstore these days and discover myriad self-help books replete with advice for how to prioritize friendship in modern society. If desired, I can recommend several—and reference them often. Though want to know a secret? Today’s self-help strategies aren’t new.