Friendships aren’t easy, they take a lot of work.

You both have to put in the effort. If you don’t, it’s really easy for the friendship to fall apart. Here are just some things I’ve learned about friendships:

• Not everyone is your friend. I know, it’s hard to believe right? You spend so much time around certain people, and you feel like you formed a connection. The reality is that half the people you meet in your life, aren’t really your friend. They aren’t the people that will be there through the good and the bad times.

• Friendships work both ways. If you want the friendship to work. You both have to want it. It’s important that everyone makes an effort in the friendship. Your friend can’t come home sometimes? Make some plans to meet up half way, or see if you can go to your friend. Last minute plans come up? That’s okay! Just make sure that you both find a time that works best for you.

• Friendships go through hard times. Nobody said friendships are easy. They did promise the friendships are worth it. Of course friends will have their fights. Nobody is perfect, and we are entitled to have flaws. We have feelings just like everyone else.

• Always be honest. I know that one is rough. You never want to hurt your best friend, but honesty is always best. You should both feel comfortable enough to have serious conversations. Don’t be afraid to hurt each other’s feelings. It’s normal that being honest may result in someone feeling hurt.

• Always say I love you. You never know what someone is going through. Check up on your friends from time to time and make sure they are okay. Remind them that you love them and that you aren’t going anywhere.

• Make the best memories. Go on a road trip, go camping, visit new places. You only live once, have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends by your side.

Friendships are important to have. Sometimes it’s not easy to make new friends either. Get involved in group activities. Include some outside people into your circle. Hold each other accountable for what you are trying to do with your lives. Friendships go through ups and downs, it’s a part of life. However, don’t let life get in the way of having a good time. Love your friends wholeheartedly and let them know you will always be by their side.

Header Image Source

About The Author

My name is Missy, I am 29 and I love to write. I write about mental health, relationships, friendships and life in general. I’m just your typical girl who loves to be adventurous! You can find more of my stories here.

Having Two Siblings Is Way Better Than One

I am sure there are cases to be made by every family, as to why the amount of kids they have is the perfect amount. An only child, two children with huge age gaps, two children close in age, one set of twins, etc.

However, I’m here to make the case for why having two siblings(two sisters in my case) is the greatest blessing you’ll ever have.

When you have two siblings, you have two people to learn from. If you have one sibling, either you will do exactly what they do, or exactly the opposite of what they do. Growing up with two older sisters who were complete opposites in personality allowed me to watch them both go through trial and error in their own ways. I got to see them react in two different ways to the exact same situation and then see which reaction got the best results. Learning from two different people’s successes and failures can be much more constructive than seeing more than two or just one.

For example, my one sister always waited until the last minute to do everything. Whether it be homework, chores, or even just getting ready in the morning. She waited until the last minute and rushed to get everything done on time. On the other hand, my other sister did everything early. She would wake up close to two hours before she had to leave the house in order to ensure enough time to get ready, homework/studying was done days in advance, and chores she did the second she got home.

I watched my sisters both grow up with these two completely different habits, and I saw how their decisions played out.

My sister who waited and rushed would get grounded for not having chores done in time, would be late to all of her events cause she was finishing her hair, and as far as school went, she still got good grades but she was always stressed last-minute with assignments that piled up. My other sister was always early, she rarely got grounded, was always early to events, and got good grades as well but she also was also tired and never stayed out late due to her early wake-up time and had little if no time for a social life.

From watching them, I decided I would go right in the middle; I am early when it comes to doing things but not too early. I give myself just the right amount of time so I am not rushed but not too early either.

When you have two siblings, you are able to relate your personal interests and beliefs to two different people.

One sibling might be your go-to for advice and funny stories about relationships, and one sibling might be your go-to for music and stress. You do not have to throw all of your baggage on one person, and you do not have to force bonds that are not there. You can split yourself between two people who have to be nice to you. My one sister is who I go to as more of a friend; we hang out all the time and have mutual friends. She is the one who knows everything going on in my social life and is who I do all my venting about friends and boys too. My other sister is the more serious one; she is who I go to when I need advice on school, work, and anything with the family. She is also my at-home friend, we have movie and game nights weekly.

When you have two siblings, you have someone to go to when you are not getting along with the other one. If one sibling is being mean, as siblings do, you have another one to go to. You don’t have to put all of your eggs in one basket.

If one sibling does not want to hang out, you have a backup.

When you have two siblings, it is easy to divide your time between them. It is also easy to not get bored of just one. You don’t have to feel like you need to write down concrete plans to get time in with all of your siblings, but you also are able to change it up if you’ve been around one too much. I know with my sisters, it’s not hard to make time for both but I also know there is one I spend more time with usually cause the other one is driving me nuts but also because we are closer in age so we just tend to get along a little better.

When you have two siblings, you get a chance to know and love people who are different from you in so many ways but also just like you in so many others.

You are able to empathize and understand the different ways people deal with stress, fear, joy, and anxiety because you’ve had a lifetime of watching two other people deal with everything in their own way. I have seen two different reactions to breakups, friendships, family divorces, school, and work that I have been able to adjust how I interact with all of the things that come my way. My older sister is described as the serious one, my middle sister is the laid-back one, and I am described as both. I know when to be serious and at other times, I know how to be laid back. This is from years of watching them both and smashing together two different personality traits into one.

When you have two siblings, you start to see them in you. You see the good and the bad of each of them inside you. Having two amazing and frustrating, different, and similar siblings have molded you into the person you are today.

When you have two siblings, you have double the lessons, double the fights, and most importantly, double the love.

6 Lies We Tell Ourselves At the Start of the Weekend

The start of any weekend is always ripe with so much promise — possibilities of so many things to get accomplished. We head into the weekend telling ourselves that we’ll do them all or most, but deep down we know the simple truth: we’re liars.

1. We’ll clean the house.

Over the course of the week our rooms have a tendency to become strewn with old outfits and take out containers. It’s understandable, we lead busy lives. So the start of a weekend is that golden opportunity to clean up a little.

We never do though, for a number excuses — hungover, tired, we’ll get it done next weekend, etc. Our place ends up looking like a polluted street and having a clean refrigerator has to wait another day (or year!).

2. We’ll go through and respond to all our emails.

In this modern tech age, we have accounts on so many different websites. And apps, and they all continuously barrage us with a never ending stream of emails.

Maybe we were interested in that website — at some point — or we’re just too lazy to unsubscribe from their email blasts; But one thing is for sure — we don’t have enough time to look through let alone even click on these emails.

Thus, our inboxes have become infected hives of unread and disregarded emails. The wide open weekend is perfect for clearing our tech house, but that would require clicking through them all.

3. We’re going to be good to our livers.

The past few days or weekends have been lots of fun and games. And we’ll totally remember to detox. Often times we start the weekend telling ourselves we’re going to take it easy, but then we get that evening text from a friend, and we promise to only have one drink.

Fast forward six hours later to when we have somehow managed to get ourselves home, and now we’re foraging through our refrigerator like a starved zombie raccoon.

4. We’re going to be social.

On the other hand — some weekends — we promise ourselves that we will actually go out and act like we have a social life. We reach out to people, but there’s nothing overly-enticing that’s going on, and that’s when it happens — the siren call.

From our bedrooms we hear the alluring voice of Netflix, calling to us, and once our beds join in on the chorus we’re hooked. We grab the Nutella and a spoon, and dive under the welcoming sheets. So much for being social.

5. We’re going to get a head start on that project.

Even if it’s a Friday night — and we just finished work or school for the week — we tell ourselves we should really start that project looming over our heads. Yes, we think, yes we will be productive, just after I watch this one episode, but then that episode turns into 10.

Then before we know it, the whole weekend has blown past us, and all we have to show for it is a hangover and a bruise on our arm that we can’t figure out where it came from.

6. We’re going to see that one friend we’ve been meaning to see.

We all have one. That one friend that we really do love and care about, but can never seem to find the time to see. We promise ourselves that this is going to be the weekend for our grand reunion.

Yet when push comes to shove, the plans don’t materialize, and we don’t see our friend. It was the thought that counted right?

Header Image Source

Read this if you’re the friend who is there for everybody; even at the expense of your own well-being…

I’m the go-to friend. The friend you rant to and you vent to. I am the friend who will always be on your side, but will play devil’s advocate when you need a wakeup call. The one who will validate your emotions, and hold you tight when they escape profusely. Because I am the “Therapist” Friend.

If I had a nickel for every time I have been told I would make a great therapist, well, needless to say I’d be rich. I listen, ask clarifying questions, verify thoughts and feelings, support or test conclusions, and give advice if asked for. All efforts and support that I know I would seek when I myself am in an emotional state.

Every loved one whom I’ve had vent to me has always followed up with “I’m always here for you, too. If you ever need to vent you can come to me.” It’s not that easy though. I am sure they absolutely would listen, some would validate my emotions, a few might hold me if I fell apart in front of them… But I have yet to completely find myself and my efforts in my own loved one.

I convince myself not to bother them anyways, since I know all too well that they have their own problems they’re dealing with. Why would I pile my own issues on top of theirs? I don’t want to be a burden to a loved one. For those who are like me, I get just as emotionally invested in their issues as they are. I make them my own. And I feel their anger, their anxiety, their sadness… I know what it feels like to have too much on your plate, mentally and emotionally. Therefore, I have become a professional at suffering in silence.

It’s no joke when you hear people say “Check up on your Therapist Friend, they’re the ones who actually need the most therapy.” Know why? They have felt EVERYTHING. Everything! Every mood, emotion. Have had every unfortunate thought cross their mind. And they will still feel and think all of it again, if it means they can help relieve a loved one’s pain and anguish in any way.

If you can be there without risking your own mental and emotional well-being, return your Therapist Friend’s effort and support they’ve given you. A little can go a long way.

Header Image Source

About The Author

I’m a girl who has always loved writing. For as long as I remember, I have used writing as an outlet for my emotions. Poetry is usually my go-to; a fairly quick, easy, and intense way to feel emotions all at once. A poem isn’t always the best way to do that, however. Sometimes there’s just too much to feel and to say to fit into a poem. Hence this piece I’ve written for PuckerMob. I’m hoping to reach those people who consider themselves a Therapist Friend, and ease their pain by knowing that they aren’t alone. I hope this article brings peace!

9 Things Only Carelessly Naked People can Relate to

We all have those friends and family, who just don’t care about wearing clothes.

Maybe they are conceited and just like not having a shirt on. Maybe they just are so comfortable in their skin they don’t see a reason as to why they need clothes in the first place. They are the people, which embarrass you sometimes in public for carelessly not worrying about nudity. They have the mindset while we are all different, we have all seen ourselves naked so why is it a big deal if other people see us?

You never sleep with clothes on

Often times you have to lock your door, because people don’t like walking in on you as you sleep in only underwear. When you sleep without clothes on, you aren’t sweating, if ever you are cold there are blankets, there are no issues of clothes getting tangled in sheets. And if ever you are dating someone, they are the last to complain and accept you for who you are.

If clothes aren’t required, you aren’t wearing them

Beach towns you find the most appealing; those places where signs say, “no shoes, no shirt, no problem.”

Changing in front of people doesn’t bother you

Whether you have friends of the opposite sex around or friends of the same sex, if you need to change it doesn’t faze you doing it in front of them. At first they were a little shocked by it, but then they enter your house almost expecting you to be half naked 75% of the time.

Pages: 12

Sadly, This Is Why Not All Friendships Make It to Forever

Friends are vital. They sustain us, keep us going, and make us feel at home. Friendships are something we all have and need at different points in our life’s, for different reasons.

Flashback to the past. For some, you don’t remember their names and would rather not. For others, those were some of your best days and your best friends.

Fast forward to your present, where you’re finding time to make friends and be a friend. They never tell you how hard it is. They never mention that some days you have to fight like crazy to keep up with the old and make room for the new.

There are some friendships you’ll make in your lifetime that you’ll be forever grateful for. You’ll wonder how you even managed to get through life without ever knowing them.

These are the friendships you must hang onto. They make you better just by knowing them. We all need that friendship that reminds us what it’s like to be free and feel complete.

However, you have the friendships that you’re hanging onto by a thread. The ones you’ve stayed in because it’s comfortable and safe. The type of friendships that you constantly convince yourself to be in.

Pages: 12

To The Friends Who’ve Helped Me Through My Worst Moments With Anxiety

My Dear Friends,

Before I began sharing about my anxiety, I was terrified to open up to you. I worried that disclosing my anxiety would darken the light, cheery nature of our friendships. I wondered if “anxious” would gradually become my sole identity, overshadowing the many traits that comprise who I am. My greatest hope was that you would understand that anxiety challenges me, but does not define me. The moment I disclosed my anxiety, my fears dissipated.

I am incredibly thankful that choosing to be vulnerable about my anxiety has strengthened our friendships, created inextricable, deep connections and brought us closer than I could have ever imagined. Moreover, I am extremely grateful for your presence in my life and for the numerous ways in which you have supported me through the most difficult times.

Thank you for understanding.

Whenever I arrived late to meet you for coffee, my hair disheveled, my eyes wet from an onslaught of panic and my slight figure clad in an old, shapeless sweatshirt. I appreciate that you never commented on my anxiety-ridden appearance and always took the time to listen to whatever was on my mind as we sipped our drinks.

Pages: 12345

28 Signs Tonight’s Forecast is a 99% Chance of Wine

It’s been a long day, and let’s face it when the clock strikes five you’re ready for some wine time.

Red or white, it doesn’t matter. When it comes to wine the last thing you are is picky.

Olivia Pope from Scandal totally understands your obsession for a good glass of wine after a day at the office.

You could easily drink a whole bottle to yourself. You’ve done it too many times. Why not one more time?

The number of decorative cork-filled-jars you have around your house is concerning…

At least you always recycle your wine bottles, so your neighbors can’t judge you for once.

You wake up to 20 unread “Where the hell are you” text messages after a wine night.

Unfortunately, being wine drunk made you do it. You can’t help it, there’s nothing more fine than wine.

You were so ecstatic when you found out that you could drink wine while shopping at Target. How perfect for you.

People tend to disappoint you, but wine never fails to make your day better.

Wine Wednesday is every day in your life. A glass of wine is supposed to be good for you… right?

A glass of wine a day keeps the sadness and daily life struggles away.

Your favorite type of “Girl’s Night Out” is when you all get wine drunk and stay in.

You have no shame in drinking straight outta the bottle.

If only you loved exercising as much as you thoroughly enjoy drinking.

FUN FACT: The word for “happiness” in French is “rose” aka rose-aaaayyy.

Screw beer, wine makes pizza even better.

It’s your favorite hello, and your hardest goodbye. You always look forward to its company.

The only aisle you’ll be walking down anytime soon is the one that contains all of the wine bottles.

Your weekend plans consist of: Buy a bottle of wine. Drink it all. Repeat.

You’ll have a glass of wine to mourn all of the clothes you added to your shopping cart but never bought.

Pages: 12

Admit It, We Can’t Be “Just Friends”

“Be careful when falling for a close friend; it can work out perfectly or blow up in your face”

You and I have always been the perfect match. Let’s be honest, we get each other so well and the physical attraction between us is still as fresh as it was when we first met each other and became friends. At this point, it’s ridiculous to me how we’re not enjoying the perks of being in a romantic relationship. Why is it so hard for you to accept that we can’t be “just friends”?

What else do you need to prove that we’ve be great together? Sadly though, it seems that it’s becoming more of an impossibility to ever become more than what we are now. I’m just starting to give up on the idea that you’ll ever open your heart to being something more than pals. The problem is, one thing is to give up on that idea, and something else is to learn to live with the fact that I have feelings for you. I can’t just turn those feeling off with a switch.

Pages: 123

Dear BFF, someday I will find the LOML, but you’ll always be my soulmate

BFF

As cliche as it may be, you are my person. You are my crazy nights and sleep ’til noon Sundays. You carry me through my chaotic life. You see my soul and understand all the things I choose not to say.

I want to thank you for loving me when I’m crying on the bathroom floor and listening to all the little spiders running through my head. Thank you for meeting me at my mess and accepting me at my worst.

One day I will find the love of my life who will then do all those things for me, but right now I have you and I’m glad I found you first.

So until the day I say “I do” I will make this vow to you:

Pages: 12