Friends and support and all that mushy stuff

This weekend I was browsing in a gift store and saw a book called "This Is Not the Life I Ordered." Since I could relate to the title, I picked it up and looked through it a bit. It was written by four very sucessful women, who have gone through deaths, divorces, job issues, family crises, and near-death experiences, and how they went through the ups-and-downs of life together.

I ended up buying the book (overpriced as it was at that swanky store), and read about half of it already. One thing that I read in there really stood out to me. And that was about the power of friendships.

Remember how I stated in an earlier post that I'm suddenly very interested in all things health-related? Well, in this book they mentioned a recent study on the effect of friendships on health. And this study proved that the more friends a woman had, the longer she was likely to live. Yes, that's right. Friends help you live longer.

It makes sense. In women's relationships, at least, stress is handled by talking it through with friends. We all know that it is unhealthy to bottle up feelings and stress inside, so venting to your close friends over coffee is actually very good for you.

To some, this may be great news. If you are surrounded by a close network of friends and family who you feel comfortable sharing your deepest secrets with, you're set.

But what about those who don't feel like they have that blessing of close friendships? Well, several options. As my first post detailed, blogging and other forms of internet networking are one way to form some sort of friendships. Another is to be a joiner. Join a book club, a gym, a workout class, a Bible study, a volunteer group, or a sports team. You'll naturally meet more people through these activities. Close friendships may not develop right away, but you'd be surprised how many friendships are formed.

I took an art photography class a few summers ago. By happenstance, all of the people who took the class were women. We varied in age, economic status, and marital status, but we all had a common interest in photography. Since that class, we have met several times to compare pictures, techniques, and to get caught up on each other's lives. You never know when or how you will make a new friend.

Where was the strangest place you made a friend?

Why become a blogger?

Focusing on one's health is a good thing. And as someone who, just this year, has become increasingly focused on living a healthy life, I'm always interested to hear what's good for you and what isn't. Last week, Discovery published an article about how blogging can be good for your mental health. Those with blogs felt they had more of a social connection than those who didn't. It's a great reason to start a blog.

However, it's not my reason. Graduating from college and the life that followed afterwards has been the most difficult season of my life. And from conversations and research, I know that others are struggling through quarterlife crises of their own.

This blog is my attempt to help us through this time. No more complaining, no more answerless questions.

When NBC recently tried to move its online show "Quarterlife" from the web to television, it failed miserably. After just one episode aired, it was yanked off the network. Even "Viva Laughlin," the half-singing show about a casino in Laughlin, Nevada, fared better than that.

So, the question of the day is: Why do you think "Quarterlife" failed? My theory is that quarterlife crises are depressing. That's why they're called crisis. If they're depressing to live through, they're not going to be much of a joy to watch.

So frankly, fellow twentysomethings, our lives are just not exciting enough.