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28 Target Products You'll *Reallllllllyyyy* Like

28 Target Products You'll *Reallllllllyyyy* Like

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A ceramic candle holder perfect for gently shoving summer out the door and letting autumn (and cooler temps!) know it's okay to come back home. It's giving Dickens. It's giving Over the Garden Wall. Basically it's giving early spooky season and deserves a spot on your mantle.
Price: $6.99
A luxe pointelle sweater vest because adding a bit of texture to your outfit can turn it from "meh" to a new favorite in a jiff!
Promising review: "Love this. Oversized but not cropped. Can't wait to wear this in the fall since it's breathable and has no sleeves, a southern fall is still hot y'all!" —momof4Price: $25 (available in sizes XS–4X and four styles)
Some Happy Hair People wavy hair shampoo if you're overwhelmed by the curly hair routines on TikTok and just want something that works. No 100 steps needed: Just snag this shampoo (and the matching conditioner!) and say hello to perfect waves every time.
I'm a BIG fan of Happy Hair People, both because the scent really *is* amazing and also because their products make my hair ✨shine✨!Promising reviews: "I really love the smell of this shampoo. I have wavy hair and I'm making an effort to wear it naturally, and this shampoo is part of my routine. I love it!" —Skc80"I was previously using Shea Moisture and they changed their formula so I went on the hunt for something that wouldn't kill my budget. I LOVE this shampoo and conditioner set. It smells amazing and my hair is SO. SOFT. I have combination hair and I feel like this keeps my hair moisturized without being greasy and my waves are really bouncy." —AFBPrice: $7.99
A pair of Lee clog mules to help you ~slide~ right from summer to fall in the cutest, most fashion-forward way possible. These go FAST, so even if you're not planning to wear them just yet, your future self will thank you for adding them today.
Promising review: "Very comfortable. I wear an 8 in boots and sneakers. Stuck with a 7 1/2 with these. If you want to wear with thicker socks or have wide feet might go up half a size. Cute and on trend for fall." —RachiecoastkidPrice: $40 (available in sizes 6–11)
A BrüMate Era tumbler that is hands-down the best water bottle on the market: A TRUE locking mechanism that won't leave liquid all over your bag or car, cute colors, and a base designed to be both stabilizing *and* still fit in your cupholders.
Look, I've tried them all: BrüMate is simply the best there is. If you've got littles and are looking towards back to school, their smaller Leap bottle with all the same features is our family's go-to for backpacks! Promising review: "I am a BrüMate brand lover. The Era cup is the best to me. I love the flexible, soft straw, that it's actually leakproof when locked, is cute, and fits nicely in my hand. Just love that I can finally get it at a store near me." —AnyPrice: $39.99 (available in four colors)
A cloud knit pajama short set so you can be your most comfy (cutest) self when slipping into bed.
Promising review: "I love these PJs, they feel just as luxurious, as my Victoria's Secret pjs! I highly recommend this cute and cozy set if you're looking for something stylish, comfy, and at a very reasonable price. This set is a gem you shouldn't pass up. Treat yourself!" —Targetlover00Price: $25 (available in sizes XS–4X and five styles)
Some Boka toothpaste because your mouth deserves luxury, too—not just your skincare routine. If you've been on TikTok lately, you've most DEFINITELY seen this 'lil tube around because A) It helps remineralize your enamel and B) the flavors are AMAZING.
Promising reviews: "This is my second time purchasing Boka toothpaste, and I absolutely adore it! The formula is completely clean and made from non-toxic ingredients, which gives me peace of mind. I especially appreciate that it contains no fluoride, making it a fantastic choice for those seeking a healthier oral care option. Highly recommend!" —FLGirl65"Boka has been a favorite toothpaste for years at our home. So glad to have another place to purchase! I hope they start offering every flavor and different sizes of tubes." —targetshopperPrice: $9.99
Some Hey Harper waterproof gold hoop earrings literally built to be worn to the beach, gym, brunch, and everywhere in between! Tarnish-resistant, waterproof, and designed to keep its color, these are the I've-been-everywhere-man go-tos you've been dreaming of!
Price: $40
A "Thank You" bag vase because what house *couldn't* use a little more quirk, really? Throw in some flowers, pens, or any other small trinkets that need wrangling, and say "thank you" to Target.
Price: $10
A pair of athletic flutter shorts that are super comfy, but also have that extra little ~something~ so you look totally put together, too. Whether you're planning to drop in on a workout class or just a quick errand run, these will make you feel like you have a leg up on your day! (Get it? Leg up?)
Promising review: "Comfortable and beautiful! I train three times a week and I wanted comfy and good quality but still a good price. I'm so happy I found these. I love theeeeem!!! I love that the under shorts stay covering what needs to be covered ;) while squatting! So 👏 BUY IT!!!" —AllisonPrice: $20 (available in sizes XS–4X and six colors)
A sling crossbody bag if you want a hands-free existence while you go on new adventures. (Trust me, you totally do.) This one comes with an adjustable strap for the perfect fit, plus plenty of easy-access zippered compartments so you can keep all your essentials handy.
Promising reviews: "I recently traveled out of town, and this crossbody was so helpful! I wore it with almost everything. So many compartments and I was able to just throw on." —Mesha"I was looking for something to fulfill the need of carrying around my wallet, keys, phone, wipes, and a few snacks since my children are older now, and I don't want to carry around a giant diaper bag. This was perfect, and I really liked the style and material. As previously mentioned, if you are looking for something to hold a water bottle, the side pocket will NOT do that, but it works perfectly for hand sanitizer and sunglasses." —JordanPrice: $18 (available in two colors)
A pleated gingham ceramic table lamp classy enough to blend seamlessly with any existing decor while also ~shedding some light~ in your room.
Promising reviews: "The gingham print on the shade gives it such a cozy, rustic feel, and it complements my decor beautifully. It's the ideal size for a side table, not smaller, but still gives off enough light to create a warm, inviting atmosphere." —Caroline"Very cute. It gives that cottage vibe which I love. And it gives off the perfect light! I have mine on the bar between my kitchen and living room!" —TaylorPrice: $75
A short sleeve pullover sweater with just the right amount of "waiting for fall" energy that you can artfully sneak into your summer wardrobe.
Promising review: "So cute and soft! Perfect transition to fall!" —KelseyPrice: $25 (available in sizes XS–4X and two colors)
A tufted shower curtain if your bathroom could use the quickest (and most effective!) of upgrades. I'm going to hold your hand gently when I say this, but if you still have a holiday-themed curtain up in August... it's time for a seasonal change.
Promising reviews: "I love this shower curtain. It's so pretty. Much nicer in person. Brings out my guest bathroom." —F Schultz"This is a beautiful and classic fabric shower curtain. The neutral creamy texture adds character to our guest bathroom. I highly recommend to anyone contemplating whether or not they should purchase." —SaavyOCShopperPrice: $39.99
Some Fazit glitter freckle makeup patches to put a little pep in your step and a little sparkle on your face! Whether you've got a concert, local comic con, or just a hankering for some sparklin', these easy-to-apply glitter patches are going to be your new besties.
Promising review: "OMG been dying for Fazit to launch this colorway. I have been asking them for a year to launch a rainbow design and now it's at Target!!! Thank you Fazit and Target this is insane. They are literally so STUNNING. Wearing them to Disney this weekend." —Alexis98Price: $15.99 (also available in gold, silver, and rose gold)
A Bose portable bluetooth speaker you'll be *abnormally excited* to have next time you're on the trail, doing yardwork, or anywhere else where you would love some playlist jams *without* having to lug around a bulky thingamajig. Big, bold sound in a small package is basically Bose's thing, and they do it ~so well~.
I LOVE Bose, and this 'lil guy has been a family sidekick all summer long! (And will be when pumpkin season rolls around, too!)Promising reviews: "Speaker paired right up to my Samsung phone after downloading the app. No prob. Easy to operate. The sound is amazing!" —NHBOB"I have tried several small speakers, but they were returned because the sound was anemic & 'tinny.' Even though this Bose speaker is not billed as being able to connect to smart TVs, I was able to connect it to my LG TV (whose onboard speaker is disappointingly 'tinny') for improved sound." —MK9999Price: $129.99 (originally $149.99; available in five colors)
A luxe V-neck jumpsuit if you need one of those in-between casual-but-elevated looks that are *so* hard to nail, but not with Target on your side! Pair with your new fave gold hoops and get ready for the compliment avalanche to sweep you away.
Promising review: "Fits really well. Beautiful colors and very comfortable. Can dress it up or down!" —PhatgrannyPrice: $40 (available in sizes XS–4X and four styles)
A pastel-tinted glass tumbler for long, sunshine-y evenings on the porch. Whether you're sipping on cocktails, mocktails, or your fave lemonade, these glasses are sure to jazz up your beverage.
And they'll look amazing sitting on your kitchen shelves!Promising review: "I got four of them. They look like Scandinavian brand glasses. Great color. I just want Target to keep selling this product." —RK"These are my favorite little glasses. Perfect for small servings." —xobondoPrice: $3.25
A Daise rose and sandalwood body mist to give yourself the gift of a new daily go-to that reviewers say smells clean and lasts all day without being overpowering. (For the kind of price that will make your jaw drop.)
Promising reviews: "I love how fresh this smells, like clean linen mixed with sandalwood. My favorite spray scent so far. Cute flower shape." —Stefany "It has such an elegant smell, lowkey soft floral rose, and lowkey warm, earthy sandalwood. This delicate fragrance is calming and sophisticated, perfect for an everyday scent." —SarahPrice: $5.99
A slim fit satin button down if your idea of luxe is grown-up Eloise, but without Plaza prices.
Promising reviews: "I have gotten so many compliments on this shirt! It looks dressy and it's very comfortable!" —judyr"I was very pleasantly surprised by this shirt. The fabric and colors look high end. I'll be buying all the colors." —Supes ChicPrice: $25 (available in sizes 1X–4X)
A matted frame because we might be in the digital age, but who doesn't love seeing a physical photo framed on their wall? Look, if the royals can have large painted portraits lining their hallways, you can have a couple of frames of your fave selfies.
Promising review: "Very cute and loved that the circle added something different to my gallery wall. Good quality. Definitely thicker than your standard photo frame." —JosiPrice: $12
A couture claw clip for ~artfully~ getting your hair off your neck. (Or just, like, not feeling like you're wearing a turtleneck of hair the second you step out of the shower.)
Price: $12.99
A stainless-steel teapot if you love a spot of tea to unwind during self-care time. Pair it with a Celestial Seasonings fruit tea sampler, and you've got yourself the fanciest of summer pastimes.
Promising review: "Adorable tea kettle! We use this for hot chocolate all of the time. The stoneware on the bottom is nice, too. It looks great out on the stove all of the time." —MomofmanyPrice: $32.99
A button-front knit tank top because nothing is fancier than the perfect buttoned layering piece, and this tank will help you elevate your look this summer and fall. (Just think how cute it will be under a contrasting cardi.)
Promising review: "Love the fit, did my usual size medium. Bought in blue and black and will be ordering brown! !" —LbrazierPrice: $15 (available in sizes XS–4X and three colors)
A tube of Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm for a little pop of color and a big dollop of moisturizing goodness. This magic stuff provides EIGHT HOURS of hydrating action, so swipe once and enjoy deliciously soft lips all day long.
Promising review: "I am a long time fan of this lip moisture line! It hydrate lips and keeps them soft for much longer than traditional lip balm. Goes on clear and smooth, non sticky and non greasy." —MeghanPrice: $3.99 (available in three shades)
A Lego Pixar lamp that needs no introduction because it's *that* iconic. You can totally HEAR the happy squishing sounds now, can't you?
Promising reviews: "Great for a display model." —Wizzard"I love Legos and recently have completed a few sets. This one was super easy to put together and has many options for the ball." —New lego momPrice: $69.99
A Blogilates bow-back tank top so cute *and* functional, you'll wonder if you need to head to the gym or to brunch to show it off.
Both, btw. The answer is both. Promising reviews: "Love the material. I got a lot of compliments. I like how you can dress it up with a skort or even with jeans." —Rosemary"So so beautiful. I love the floral print. I need more activewear like this. I got so many compliments on it. It's nice enough to even wear to work." —LindsiePrice: $25 (available in sizes XS–3X and five styles)
And finally, a Simplehuman stainless steel dual-compartment trash can because one of the major perks of adulthood is you really *can* get this excited about a really nice trash can.
Fingerprint proof, silent-close lid, and easy-to-change-bag abilities, if you've ever been at a friend's place and thought, "Wow! I really love that trash can!" It was almost certainly from Simplehuman.Promising review: "This can is pricey, but so worth it!. I use the larger side for trash and smaller bin for recyclables. Everything is neat, organized, and contained!" —AnnPrice: $139.99
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EXCLUSIVE: Lili Reinhart's Skin Care Brand Personal Day Set to Enter Ulta Beauty, Marking Its Inaugural Move Into Retail
EXCLUSIVE: Lili Reinhart's Skin Care Brand Personal Day Set to Enter Ulta Beauty, Marking Its Inaugural Move Into Retail

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

EXCLUSIVE: Lili Reinhart's Skin Care Brand Personal Day Set to Enter Ulta Beauty, Marking Its Inaugural Move Into Retail

Lili Reinhart's Personal Day is venturing into retail. Starting Sunday, the acne-safe skin care brand, best known for its TikTok-viral Unplug Blackhead-Melting Nose Strips, will be sold in about 700 Ulta Beauty doors, plus an additional 104 front-of-store towers under the retailer's Sparked program. This milestone comes just 10 months after the brand initially launched in October 2024, operating direct-to-consumer with just five skus under $40. More from WWD The Vitamin Shoppe Brings in a Business Strategist Claire's Files for Bankruptcy in U.S. and Canada as Debt, Increased Competition Weighs on Accessories Firm EXCLUSIVE: Actress Deepika Padukone's Beauty Brand 82°E Launches Distribution Partnership with the PCA Companies 'We want people to be in stores, to go in and be able to touch and feel our products,' Reinhart, 28, told WWD over a video call. 'Ulta Beauty is very accessible to a lot of people, and it feels also very approachable. It kind of feels like, 'Come one, come all,' in those stores. And so, we felt like Ulta Beauty was the right move for us.' Founded on the mission of providing consumers dermatologist-tested products to help manage and soothe breakouts on acne-prone skin, Personal Day infuses ingredients such as mevalonic acid, azelaic acid, zinc hyaluronate, rice powder, niacinamide and chlorophyll into its specialized products, including Trust Me on This Hypochlorus Acid Spray, Emotional Support Lip Balm and Full Clarity Cleansing Powder. Reinhart's foray into beauty was inspired by her robust acne journey, which led her to go on Accutane twice. 'I've had acne since I was 12, but I'm also such a huge product lover, and I love makeup. I think a lot of times, people with sensitive or acne prone skin feel very left out, or we think we can use these products, and then it makes us break out. So, to me, there's been a gap in the industry there,' Reinhart said. 'I wanted to create a brand that was completely acne safe and provide acne safe alternatives for really popular products that everyone wants or needs to use in their skin care routine, but also to provide innovative, cool and exciting formulas that can help keep your skin clear.' These formulas and the story behind Personal Day are what Shelagh Wong, CEO and cofounder of Personal Day, believes set the brand apart from not only other celebrity beauty businesses, but also other skin care products available on the market. 'We're coming into a world where everyone's sick of celebrity brands, right? Our goal is to make it so that she is, yes, a celebrity, but that's not why this brand exists. Reinhart happens to be famous, but her story is real,' Wong said. Customers have seemingly resonated with Reinhart's experience and the products she and Wong have put out. In May, the brand saw a monthly net sales growth of 73 percent from April and a 779 percent jump from January. Four skus — Emotional Support Lip Balm, Trust Me On This Hypochlorous Acid Spray, Unplug Blackhead Melting Nose Strips and Everybody Stay Calm Recovery Mask — sold out in May and June, while 9,000 units, which was the entire inventory, of just the Unplug Blackhead Melting Nose Strips were sold in 26 days. Like the consumers, Ulta Beauty has been impressed with Personal Day's accelerated growth and product development in the last 10 months. 'At Ulta Beauty, we're committed to discovering and elevating the best in emerging beauty. Personal Day is a standout — bringing together dermatologist-developed formulas, breakthrough innovation, and a refreshingly real approach to acne care. With proven momentum and viral buzz, we're excited to help even more guests discover the brand and feel confident in their skin, only at Ulta Beauty,' Lisa Tamburello, vice president of skincare merchandising at Ulta Beauty, told WWD. For Personal Day, Ulta Beauty felt like the obvious choice for its inaugural move into retail, considering its stores were central to the locations where the majority of its consumer sales were coming from. In analyzing the company's consumer data, Wong and Reinhart both recognized that the majority of its consumers were from rural areas. 'That's where Ulta Beauty really came in. When we looked at the store locations and we mapped it to where our consumers are, we were like, 'This is where we can meet them where they're at,'' Reinhart said. 'To have something in a store is just special,' she continued. 'When we're used to ordering everything online, being able to go touch something in person and have a shopping in-store experience is exciting. I'm just super happy that we get to have that experience.' Best of WWD Sesame Oil Skin Care: The Secret to Hydrated Skin or a Recipe for Clogged Pores? How Grooming Is Introducing Men to Self-care and Redefining Masculinity Clean Beauty Brand Ignae Makes Big U.S. Push With a New Look Solve the daily Crossword

I'm a Gen Z interior designer. Here are 4 trends I absolutely love and 4 I think are dated.
I'm a Gen Z interior designer. Here are 4 trends I absolutely love and 4 I think are dated.

Business Insider

time2 hours ago

  • Business Insider

I'm a Gen Z interior designer. Here are 4 trends I absolutely love and 4 I think are dated.

I'm a Gen Z interior designer. I see many trends that I think are timeless, and some I don't love. I can't get enough of thrifted furniture, the checkerboard pattern, and bold lighting choices. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of stark-white decor, pot lights, or animal print. As a Gen Z interior designer, I love helping people utilize the latest trends to create a cozy space. Since studying interior design in the US, Florence, and London and graduating this past summer, I've even built a TikTok following by sharing several of my favorite Gen Z-approved decorating tips. Here are some of the Gen Z trends I think are timeless, and the ones I recommend that you ignore. I love how Gen Z uses color. I've noticed that Gen Z is especially loving dark greens, lively blues, and cheerful pinks. I like it, especially since incorporating colors is one of the least expensive and most impactful tools for designing your space. My favorite trick for creating a timeless design is starting with neutral-colored bigger furniture, like a couch, then adding brighter hues through smaller, easily interchangeable elements. For example, colorful pillows, throw blankets, plants, table lamps, and artwork. The right hues can truly make a space look spectacular, and swapping colorful accessories is the most convenient way to create a fresh look. Secondhand furniture is the way to go. One of my favorite trends in interior design right now is appreciating previously loved, secondhand furniture. You can often find good-quality, beautiful pieces for cheap through Facebook marketplace, on furniture exchange sites, and at estate sales. Keep your eye out for upholstered chairs, dressers, coffee tables, and dining chairs. Examine the quality and design, and consider the potential. You can also update older pieces to make them spectacular: Take off lacquer and showcase a natural-wood finish or slap on a coat of paint and use some modern, fun fabrics. Bold lighting choices are your best friend. Right now, I see more Gen Zers choosing bold, interesting lighting choices. Whether it's oversized chandeliers in the entryway, sweeping floor lamps in the living room, or bathroom backlighting that makes you look like a supermodel, I'm here for it all. Lighting is quite literally another form of art, so be bold. I can't get enough of checkered patterns. One of my favorite trends is the checkered pattern because I think it's a fun way to add a sense of playfulness to a room. I'm a big fan of checkered carpets, pillows, and flooring in an entrance. I'd argue that the checkered pattern is timeless — not only because it has a long history on game boards, but also because there can be so much variation in the actual pattern. On the other hand, I can't support cheaply made, mass-produced furniture. Although I can't always avoid it, I want to say goodbye to mass-produced, cheaply-made furniture. In addition to looking cheap, many mass-produced pieces are not made to last. In particular, I'd suggest staying away from high-traffic furniture that can deteriorate fast. For example, a cheap sofa will sag in time, and coffee spills can stain a cheap table. On the other hand, I'm done with stark-white decor. Stark white has reigned supreme in the design world but, in my opinion, it's on its way out. Though stark-white walls can make a room look large and clean, they can also easily make it appear sterile and harsh. Opt for softer whites, and combine them with warmer elements like natural wood and soft textures like blankets, rugs, and window treatments. Walking into a room with pot lights makes me feel tense. At some point, designers fell in love with pot lights, but I'm still just not a fan. Pot lights, or recessed lights on the ceiling, are a great way to illuminate an entire room, but they often fail to be warm and inviting. Be sure to vary the type of lighting within your space through table lamps, cabinet backlighting, or even art spotlights. I promise that you'll see an instant, dramatic change in your space. I'm ready to say goodbye to animal print. I've never been a fan of animal print — well, let's ignore that one year of my childhood when I was obsessed with "The Cheetah Girls." There are so many interesting patterns and prints you can use in your space, but for me, a zebra stripe just doesn't cut it. I think animal print can often make your space look tacky. If you're looking for a pattern, I'd opt for something more cheerful, like checkers. This story was originally published on September 18, 2023, and most recently updated on August 8, 2025.

I was horribly lonely in my mid-20s. Then I realized: I was a boring, flaky friend.
I was horribly lonely in my mid-20s. Then I realized: I was a boring, flaky friend.

Business Insider

time3 hours ago

  • Business Insider

I was horribly lonely in my mid-20s. Then I realized: I was a boring, flaky friend.

Right when I hit my mid-20s, my social luck dried out. It seemed that nearly everyone — my high school friends, my college crew, my work buddies — secretly met and conspired to all leave New York at the same time to personally wound me. Sure, they cited reasons like "affordability" or "new career opportunities," but I knew the truth: I was being punished. As my weekends became sparser, I knew I had much to blame for feeling so lonely at 24. Besides some friends moving away, others were entering new relationships and were in that phase of blissfully disappearing for months. I started a new job, so I couldn't rely on my old company's happy hours anymore. Plus, I was an only child, and my parents were both only children and immigrants, leaving me with a small, spread-out family. I'd lament all of these facts while I sat in bed, balancing my phone, a laptop, and Thai leftovers. While all played a role, I was missing the painfully obvious: the problem was sitting right there, scrolling on Instagram. It took me a long time to realize that my social isolation was mostly within my control. I didn't, in fact, have to succumb to the reality that life would only get bleaker with age: I could use that painful time as a major turning point. I could simply become a more outgoing, present friend. When I see Gen Zers sobbing on TikTok about being lonely, I don't just want to shake them; I want to shake my younger self, who was identically distraught at that age — and who didn't know how a few simple changes could turn everything around. I found hobbies again At the height of my loneliness, I didn't want to focus on my friendships. I longed to excel in my career. Because I studied TV writing in college and wanted to eventually pivot my way into the entertainment industry, I'd leave my day job in media to go home and punch out half-baked scripts in my room instead of hanging out with my roommates. My job was writing, my " hobby" was slightly different writing. I was sort of bad at both, with fewer friends to boot. Once I reached the burnout point of no return, I remembered that I loved singing in high school. I nervously auditioned for a women's choir and started going to weekly rehearsals in the basement of a church. Suddenly, I had new people to interact with and built-in plans every Monday night. Despite quietly keeping myself to myself, I made one new friend — and learned that a fun activity with repeated exposure is one of the easiest ways to form friendships as an adult. It's a lot more tedious to connect with someone you met once at a party, stuck in the never-ending quest to nail down when exactly you'll get drinks (only to have to do it again two months later). Over the years, I've slowly made friends from different choirs, a few run clubs, a musical theater program, weightlifting classes, and volunteer events. I've even made writing outside work a social activity, meeting with friends from choir or weightlifting. If I were to join that first choir again today, I'd be joining it as a new person — someone who can more easily chat up strangers, instead of poring over already-read texts on my phone in the corner. The best part? I'm not limited to only asking about the other person's job or what Netflix shows they watch. Their hobbies are far more interesting. Pushing myself to reach out first While my social circle slowly filled out in my late 20s, I kept hitting the same wall: I was terrified of reaching out first. I'd wait to see who'd invite me to a party or to hang out that week. When nothing happened, I'd sit at home and spiral. With fewer plans, I became more convinced that people didn't want to be friends with me. This made it all the more difficult to reach out first. If the person said no (or ghosted), how would my ego bear it? My fears weren't completely unfounded. Thanks to social media, there are far more ways to feel rejected, whether you get a long text outlining your faults or simply no response at all. The only way out was through. I slowly had to get used to reaching out first and accepting what happened next. If the friend couldn't get drinks that Tuesday, but offered an alternate date? Great! If they kept flaking, well…I got my answer. Doing it over and over again not only made the latter less scary, but also revealed that most people actually do want to hang out. Who knew? With time, it became easier to go bigger. I read books like " The Art of Gathering" to learn what felt like a foreign skill: hosting events. Over time, I started throwing small dinner parties and kicking off vacation planning. Some memories (Friendsgivings, National Parks trips) became my favorites. Others, like a New Year's party where far fewer people than expected showed up, I'd rather not relive. I also learned that I could survive the worst, middle-school era scenarios I dreamed up. Now, my social life is an even mix of friends inviting me out and me texting them first. It no longer feels like "work" to book a reservation or find a movie to go to. It's the pre-requisite to fulfilling friendships, because the onus should never fall on one person to do all the logistical heavy lifting. Prioritizing stronger connections By my early 30s, I felt so much better about my social circle. In fact, I started to have the opposite problem: I was always busy, but not necessarily connected. Saying yes to everything meant I didn't really commit to anything. I'd ambitiously agree to three plans on a Saturday, eventually bailing on at least one. It made me a flakier, more scattered friend. My relationships deepened once I started more closely examining who I most enjoyed spending time with. Cutting back on social media also clarified a lot, even if it scared me at first. Without the mental clutter of interacting with random high school classmates or people I met once at a party, I could better remember the details of my friends' lives or be more intentional about who I opened up to. More than anything, I've learned that friendships are never static. Some years yield more drastic social circle shake-ups than others; now that I'm entering my mid-30s, more of my friends (myself included) are moving even further away or starting families. In transient cities like New York, the changes can feel even more dramatic. But I know that if I ever feel like I did in my mid-20s again, there are steps I can take to feel less lonely. Sometimes, it's as simple as being a better friend.

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