

Good Friends Are Hard To Find! Here's How To Show Yours You Appreciate Them
It's so easy to take our friends for granted; even the really good ones. In the back of our minds, we might be thinking they're doing what they're supposed to do as friends, so there is no need to acknowledge their consistency. At the same time, we can be so quick to communicate when they do something that doesn't sit right with us.
Sometimes we don't realize the efforts our good friends really go through to show they have our back. And it doesn't have to be as dramatic as it might sound. There are actually seemingly small yet meaningful ways we can show our good friends we see their efforts and appreciate them.
Ask Her How She's Really Doing
…And be ready to listen to the full answer without waiting for your turn to respond. This one can be difficult for all of us. I mean, as friends, it's clear that we can relate to each other on so many levels. So when she's telling her story, it only makes sense that you've gone through something similar and want to chime in; whether it's to reassure her she's not alone or to let her know it's not that bad. But at times it can be helpful to let her get her full story out, especially if she's venting. Because it can also be just as easy to start explaining how we "get it" and then make the conversation all about us. We're all human, so it's not the end of the world. But taking time to check on a friend and see how she's truly doing can show your appreciation in more ways than one.
Send A Thoughtful Text
A GIF goes a long way. You've probably already discovered that you and your BFF can have entire conversations with GIFs. Sending your friend a good morning GIF, an inspiring quote or scripture via text is something really small, but can truly help her know how much she's appreciated. I feel like this can be effective in a one-on-one text or even a lit group chat. I think we can all agree that we don't only appreciate good morning texts and thoughtful texts when it comes from our significant other. It might be a different type of feeling but getting a thoughtful text from a close friend can make one's day just the same.
Shout Her Out On Social Media
And it's not even her birthday. Have you ever had a friend gas you up on social media just because? Unless she's not on social media, this can be a really pleasant surprise. You never know when a good friend might need a little boost of confidence publicly and dedicating a Facebook status to her or a precious Instagram post can have her feeling herself in a way you didn't know meant so much to her. I'm in no way saying that your entire friendship has to be broadcast on social media for other people. But a simple shout out is a small but amazing way to let her know you see her, support her and most importantly appreciate her.
Support Her
Look, all of us are doing our thing, okay sis? Whether we're starting our own blog, just landed a new job, became a mom, broke up with a jerk, we deserve some type of celebration on the regular just for making it through another season of life. And showing our friends support during all of their ups and downs can express our appreciation. It's not looking for anything in return and saying, "Well since I was there for you on this, you need to be here for me." I think we can all agree that many good friendships are also reciprocal. But supporting her in everything from her tough decisions to new endeavors is more than a basic way to display your appreciation.
Send Her A Thank-You Card
There's never a bad time for a thank-you card. Especially if it's for someone you consider a good friend. She could have been there for you at a time that wasn't necessarily convenient for her, supported you, or done anything on this list. Sending a thank-you card is so genuine because it goes beyond the efforts of a simple text message. It shows that you went out of your way to show your appreciation. Plus, it's something she can hang on to that will last much longer than a text. We often send thank-you cards after interviews, after getting married, so why not send one out of simple appreciation for a good friend?
Give Her "Me" Time
Whether you're a self-proclaimed, proud clingy friend, or your friend has a lot going on from kids to work, being an outlet for her is such a great way to show you are grateful for her. You can offer to babysit her children (for the free), or just give her space if she's expressed she needs it, and just let her know you'll be there when she's ready to press play again. I think we all know that being all things to all people can get a little tiring. So give your friend a break to show how much of a difference she's made in your life. It not only reassures her that she doesn't have to be perfect, but it also lets her know she's allowed to take time to woo-sah if needed, so she can recharge and continue being a great friend.
Featured image by Getty Images.
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
How Content Creators Hey Fran Hey And Shameless Maya Embraced The Pivot
This article is in partnership with Meta Elevate.
If you’ve been on the internet at all within the past decade, chances are the names Hey Fran Hey and Shameless Maya (aka Maya Washington) have come across your screen. These content creators have touched every platform on the web, spreading joy to help women everywhere live their best lives. From Fran’s healing natural remedies to Maya’s words of wisdom, both of these content creators have built a loyal following by sharing honest, useful, and vulnerable content. But in search of a life that lends to more creativity, freedom, and space, these digital mavens have moved from their bustling big cities (New York City and Los Angeles respectively) to more remote locations, taking their popular digital brands with them.
Content Creators Hey Fran Hey and Maya Washington Talk "Embracing The Pivot"www.youtube.com
In partnership with Meta Elevate — an online learning platform that provides Black, Hispanic, and Latinx-owned businesses access to 1:1 mentoring, digital skills training, and community — xoNecole teamed up with Franscheska Medina and Maya Washington on IG live recently for a candid conversation about how they’ve embraced the pivot by changing their surroundings to ultimately bring out the best in themselves and their work. Fran, a New York City native, moved from the Big Apple to Portland, Oregon a year ago. Feeling overstimulated by the hustle and bustle of city life, Fran headed to the Pacific Northwest in search of a more easeful life.
Her cross-country move is the backdrop for her new campaign with Meta Elevate— a perfectly-timed commercial that shows how you can level up from wherever you land with the support of free resources like Meta Elevate. Similarly, Maya packed up her life in Los Angeles and moved to Sweden, where she now resides with her husband and adorable daughter. Maya’s life is much more rural and farm-like than it had been in California, but she is thriving in this peaceful new setting while finding her groove as a new mom.
While Maya is steadily building and growing her digital brand as a self-proclaimed “mom coming out of early retirement,” Fran is redefining her own professional grind. “It’s been a year since I moved from New York City to Portland, Oregon,” says Fran. “I think the season I’m in is figuring out how to stay successful while also slowing down.” A slower-paced life has unlocked so many creative possibilities and opportunities for these ladies, and our conversation with them is a well-needed reminder that your success is not tied to your location…especially with the internet at your fingertips. Tapping into a community like Meta Elevate can help Black, Hispanic, and Latinx entrepreneurs and content creators stay connected to like minds and educated on new digital skills and tools that can help scale their businesses.
During a beautiful moment in the conversation, Fran gives Maya her flowers for being an innovator in the digital space. Back when “influencing” was in its infancy and creators were just trying to find their way, Fran says Maya was way ahead of her time. “I give Maya credit for being one of the pioneers in the digital space,” Fran said. “Maya is a one-person machine, and I always tell her she really changed the game on what ads, campaigns, and videos, in general, should look like.”
When asked what advice she’d give content creators, Maya says the key is having faith even when you don’t see the results just yet. “It’s so easy to look at what is, despite you pouring your heart into this thing that may not be giving you the returns that you thought,” she says. “Still operate from a place of love and authenticity. Have faith and do the work. A lot of people are positive thinkers, but that’s the thinking part. You also have to put your faith into work and do the work.”
Fran ultimately encourages content creators and budding entrepreneurs to take full advantage of Meta Elevate’s vast offerings to educate themselves on how to build and grow their businesses online. “It took me ten years to get to the point where I’m making ads at this level,” she says. “I didn’t have those resources in 2010. I love the partnership with Meta Elevate because they’re providing these resources for free. I just think of the people that wouldn’t be able to afford that education and information otherwise. So to amplify a company like this just feels right.”
Watch the full conversation with the link above, and join the Meta Elevate community to connect with fellow businesses and creatives that are #OnTheRiseTogether.
Featured image courtesy of Shameless Maya and Hey Fran Hey
Exclusive: 'Praise This' Producer Will Packer And Director Tina Gordon Pulls For Non-Traditional Audiences With Film
Praise This has a uber-talented cast helmed by the multi-hyphenate Chloe Bailey. But before the cast, filming, and other things came to play, it started out as a vision from executive producer Will Packer and director Tina Gordon. In our exclusive interview with the visionaries, Will shares that when he received the screenplay, he knew that Tina would be the perfect person to make the script come to life.
"She and I were so aligned in terms of the mission of this movie. We said that we wanted to make a movie that if you were [a] traditional, staunch, church type of person who believes that church should fit into a box, that we were gonna blow that out. That this wasn't the movie for you," Will says. "We wanted to make a movie that was for that non-traditional audience that is open to a church movie. You get that audience in by mashing up gospel with Drake, and with Beyoncé, with Cardi [B]. That's how you do that, and so you come in for the music, and you stay for a powerful story; Tina understood that."
He continues, "And so when I thought about who could helm this, the project was originally pitched to me by an amazing young executive named Antoine Jenkins, and I knew I wanted to do this praise movie in this world, Tina was the right one. I was really hoping she would say yes, and when she did, we were off to the races."
Watch Will's full interview below:
Executive Producer Will Packer Shares How Film Appeals To All Walks of Life
Tina, who directed films like Little, expresses her excitement about working on the Peacock film.
"Will sent me the script, and I had been like circling doing a musical. I hadn't really done something music-driven since Drumline, and so I was excited about the idea of showing gospel choirs, praise teams, specifically 'cause I thought that it would just be a really, just new facet of our culture to show," Tina explains. "And once I kinda nailed down the personalities of the praise teams and how they would be just a little funny, a little bit of a wink and a nod to church culture, I kinda got it, and I was ready to go."
Tina hopes audiences are surprised and inspired by Praise This and wants them to walk away feeling uplifted.
Watch Tina's full interview below:
Praise This is available on Peacock.
Director Tina Gordon Wants Audiences To Be Surprised By Her New Film “Praise This”
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Feature image by Terence Rushin/Getty Images