Why Guy Friends Are Essential For Your Growth
Having male friends is so much different than female friends. As with any relationship, they come with incredible ups and heartbreaking lows, each relationship brings a unique perspective to your existence. As clothing is to the body, as Tia is to Tamera; so is a solid, reliable guy to any modern woman.
Besides having access to an absorbent amount of old sweatshirts and available pockets, guy friends bring something new to your life.
1.Their Simplicity Works To Your Advantage.
In other words, they possess a healthy dose of no-f*cks-given that I quickly adopted. My guy friends taught me the key to simplicity and how to apply that practice in every area of my life. It's argued that men are simple and in this regard, it works to your favor. There's no fluff with guy friends because they simply don't have the capacity, or frankly the time, for it. When you ask a question, you get a direct answer.
Sometimes this directness comes in the form of unsolicited opinions on your outfit or harsh critiques on your favorite reality show. But other times, the times that matter, it becomes the wakeup call that your life needs to change, or that the man you love actually isn't in love with you. It's that ability to provide simple, resourceful answers to complex questions that add value to a guy friend.
That's a beautiful trait with guy friends: some of life's toughest questions have the simplest answer.
2.See Beyond Your Horizon.
My guy friends challenge me in a way my girlfriends don't because they aren't women. They don't understand the depths of my emotions at times, or the exact way I feel about a particular injustice. Instead, they saturate me with objective opinions on what I'm doing and how I'm acting. No placating, just real.
We never know what we don't know until we know it. That's why we explore the world, meet people from different cultures, and read literature about unknown parts. It's also why guy friends are imperative. To infiltrate the mentality and thought processes of the opposite gender is an extreme advantage available to everyone. It doesn't just influence your love life, either. You're opening your mind up to different ways of thinking regarding almost every activity in life. It's allowing you to see a better, fuller picture. It also helps to correct your insecurities and/or flaws.
You're challenging the best parts of you and fixing the worst parts. It's a lesson with an impossible rate of failure.
3.A Loyal Tribe.
Guy friends are encouraging, honest, and loyal. Once they decide to welcome you into the crew, that's it. As a direct result of the loyalty expressed from my guy friends, I became more confident in every area of my life. It was because of their unequivocal belief in my dreams that I began to believe too.
In friendship with guys, you have acquired a set of mirrors who will reflect who and what you are without judgment. They are truthful but never to a disconcerting degree. It's those traits that will help you to grow and be better, but inevitably, this process is not without fault. There will be times you have to explain the nuances of PMS, deconstruct the stereotypes they lazily throw about, or even take everyone to school on women's sports. But those times are overshadowed by the unequivocal support you get when the universe (or a lover) has destroyed your everything.
My guy friends, like my girl squad, make me feel comfortable. Although we communicate differently and I often feel neglected by their group chats, I understand the significance of our relationship.
It's okay that they don't understand how it feels to have period cramps, or what it means to birth a child; I don't need that from them. It's irrelevant when they've taught me how to challenge myself, how to think outside of the box society put me in, or how to love myself when no man can. As Rihanna said, that's what I came for.
Related Stories:
How I Overcame The Hurt Of Losing My Best Friend – Read More
The Truth About Maintaining Friendships As An Adult – Read More
'He's My Brother': Is Playing the Sister Role Blocking You From Finding Love? – Read More
Your Guide To Finding Your Tribe In A New City – Read More
Featured image by Getty Images.
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Courtney is a contributing writer, based in Puerto Rico by way of Tennessee. Interested in the intersection of fashion and culture, she has an affinity for fashion, empowerment, and really good tacos. Keep up with her on Instagram (@hautecourtxo).
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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