Girls, Interrupted

A dramatic shift in our lifestyles was an unanticipated by-product of the pandemic. But, alongside the sweatpants-induced rut and Zoom fatigue, our friendships have undergone their own evolution, for better or for worse

- TANYA MEHTA

Turbulent times prove to be a litmus test for most relationships. In a span of a little over a year, I saw dramatic transformations in my close female friendships. Those that were on the brink of falling apart – taped together weakly by nostalgia and small talk – gave way, leading to feelings of sadness, followed by relief. The ‘purge’ revealed contrasting wavelengths and made me realise that we no longer added value to each other’s lives, the experience was both cathartic and clarifying. Around the same time, fledgling friendships blossomed into sisterhood – relationships filled with mutual nurturing, transparency, and emotional support during tough times. I suppose, your late twenties are truly telling of the paths your friendships will take, with marriages, engagements, motherhood, and big career moves on the horizon – these major life changes can define the nature of your friendship.

As we continue to spend most of our time at home, one might be misled into thinking that staying in touch and communicating with girlfriends might be easier given our non-existent social calendars. However, on the contrary, returning those calls, replying to those messages and setting up FaceTime dates might be more challenging than we think.

YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US