#80 - Neediness and Expectations in Friendships (Sally Vardaman)

Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship · Dec 11, 2023 · 29m

"Neediness" has come up in plenty of episodes, but this is the first one dedicated to that loaded word. The episode was inspired by a letter from a listener--author, Sally Vardaman, who found herself reacting to my mom's story in episode #72 about her decision to end a friendship over what she called, "neediness." Sally's letter was so reflective and insightful that I asked her to come on the show.

We covered:

feeling drained by a friend's needs.

worrying you're overtaxing friends with your needs.

eliminating the shame of having needs in the first place. We all have needs!…