more on "low-stakes friendships" - by Maalvika

I recently shared this Dazed Digital article titled "In Defense of Low-stakes Friendships" in my monthly curation. The response was overwhelming—so many comments and DMs saying it resonated. It got me thinking about why we've become so fixated on intense, all-consuming friendships, and why casual connections have fallen out of favor. There's this pervasive belief now that every friendship must be perfectly elevating, making you feel seen, heard, and respected in every possible way. If it doesn’t meet this high standard, it's often deemed not worth pursuing. In an era where authenticity is currency and vulnerability is virtue, our understanding of friendship has undergone a radical transformation. The cultural zeitgeist, fueled by social media and popular entertainment, has elevated the concept of intense, all-encompassing friendships to near-mythical status. From the unwavering loyalty depicted in sitcoms to the carefully curated squads of celebrities on Instagram, we are inundated wi

I recently shared this Dazed Digital article titled "In Defense of Low-stakes Friendships" in my monthly curation. The response was overwhelming—so many comments and DMs saying it resonated. It got me thinking about why we've become so fixated on intense, all-consuming friendships, and why casual connections have fallen out of favor. There's this pervasive belief now that every friendship must be perfectly elevating, making you feel seen, heard, and respected in every possible way. If it doesn’t meet this high standard, it's often deemed not worth pursuing. In an era where authenticity is curr