How to Make Friends When You’re Always Busy

Busy is the by-word of the day, especially once we enter the working world…pretty much until we stop working, if we are so lucky. I hear frequently from casual connections that they want more friends, or they grieve the tight knit friends of their school days, but cannot imagine having time to make new friends.

If your google calendar looks like a coat of many colors, or you find yourself crashing at 10pm feeling like you’ve had no meaningful connection in a day, these 4 suggestions are for you!

Why Do Friends Razz Each Other?: The Golden Girls Model of Friendship

What can a classic sitcom teach us about friendships that last, and enrich us as people? These 4 iconic characters teach us about needing each other, the importance of getting razzed, and showing up to the hard stuff together.

Three First Date Questions to Jump Start Conversation

They agreed to the first date. Butterflies are doing aerial gymnastics in your guts, scenes from any romcom you’ve seen in the last 10 years are playing in your head, and maybe you’re asking yourself “what the heck am I going to SAY?”

How to Create Phone-Free Time With Friends

Everyone’s talking about the over/use of cellphones. From school districts to psychologists to (ironically) social media influencers. Noticing how this extends even to carefully orchestrated group hangs, I want to explore: how can we consciously create time with our friends that give us a break from the phone?

How to Recharge After Social Burnout Without Disappearing Completely

As autumn settles in, how can we effectively recharge our social batteries WITHOUT losing touch completely? We offer four strategies focused on slowing down, connecting more closely, and supporting daily life.

WHERE DO WE FIND FRIENDSHIP? Lessons from Lord of the Rings

What can we learn about friendship from a classic fantasy epic? Lord of the Rings offers us a view of friendship that can differ from our cultural assumptions which often emphasize being similar, having similar tastes, and having surface level fun. In this fantasy epic, friendship forms under adverse conditions between unexpected people who share commitment to something bigger than themselves.

Can You Really Trust AI for Advice? Why Human Connection Still Matters

Picture this: you’re lying awake, spiraling about a big decision. Instead of calling a friend, you start typing your worries into ChatGPT. I’ve done it, and maybe you have too. From relationship drama to career crossroads, more people are turning to AI for advice — and some are even calling it their “AI therapist.”

It makes sense. AI is quick, nonjudgmental, and available 24/7. But here’s the question: can a bot really give us what we need most?

Kickin’ it Old School: Why In-Person Events Are the Secret Weapon for How to Make Friends and Find Love in 2025

Nothing makes a millennial contend with their own mortality quite like seeing mid-2000s trends resurfacing - and it’s not just Ed Hardy and low-rise jeans. While some people, like Gen Z are trading in online shopping for live-sale vintage bargain-hunting, you’ve probably noticed a shift of people ditching the apps for IRL dating and ways to make friends. And you’d be right!

I recently joined the Curated Questions podcast — a show that dives deep into relationships, friendship, and connection in the modern world, and why in-person meetups are having a much-deserved renaissance. If you’re interested in how to make friends as an adult, navigating dating apps without burning out, or understanding why in-person meetups are making a comeback, you can listen to the whole episode on Apple Podcasts or the Curated Questions Website.

What to Do When You Feel Like the Odd One Out

We’ve all been there—standing in a room where it feels like everyone else belongs but us. It’s an uncomfortable feeling, but also a common one. The truth is, many of us underestimate how much others want to connect with us. In this post, we share gentle strategies for easing into conversations, reframing “odd” as “unique,” and finding one-on-one moments that make connection feel easier. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit in, this piece is for you.

Matt BrooksSeptember 1, 2025Comment

Scripts for Reaching Out to Someone You’ve Lost Touch With

Lost touch with someone you care about? Here are gentle, low-pressure scripts to help you reconnect with warmth and ease.

Bridging Generations: Conversation Starters That Work for Any Age

Ever find yourself sitting across from someone decades older or younger, not sure what to say? Intergenerational conversations can feel intimidating—but they can also be some of the most rewarding exchanges you’ll ever have. In our latest post, we share simple, age-agnostic conversation starters designed to spark genuine connection and uncover common ground. Whether it’s at a family gathering, in the workplace, or at a community event, these prompts can help you skip the small talk and dive into stories, laughter, and wisdom.

BlogMatt BrooksAugust 18, 2025conversation starters, conversation, age, age gap Comment

Digital Burnout vs. Digital Bonding: How to Tell the Difference (And What to Do About It)

Feeling drained after scrolling but still disconnected? Discover how to tell the difference between digital burnout and digital bonding—and how to find real connection online.

BlogMatt BrooksAugust 11, 2025burnout, burnout symptoms, burnout signs, burnout definition, digital burnout, digital bondingComment

How to Connect With Your Community

Read on for five ways to connect with the people around you.

5 Summer Date Ideas

Put the hot into hot date with these outside-the-box (and outside-the-house) plans for summer romance.

BlogAllison ScharmannJune 30, 2025dating, date ideas, summer, romance, relationship tip, relationship advice, dating advice, date idea, activitiesComment

5 Ways to Stay Cool (And Social!) This Summer

Break the ice without breaking a sweat.

LGBTQ+ Summer Book Recs

Get ready, because your summer reading list is about to get five books longer.

BlogAllison ScharmannJune 16, 2025books, reading, summer reading, beach read, book recs, lgbt, lgbtq, lgbtqia, queer booksComment

Crank Up the (Queer) Tunes: A Pride Playlist

From old school gay anthems to the Billboard Hot 100, check out these dance floor-ready tunes to add to your queue.

BlogGuest UserJune 9, 2025LGBTQ, lgbt, lgbtqia, fun, music, music recs, playlist

Resources for Celebrating Pride

Over the years, we at Skip the Small Talk have compiled activities, advice, LGBTQ+ friendship guides, book recommendations, Q&As, and more to help you celebrate the Pride Month STST style.

Allison ScharmannJune 2, 2025Comment

Resources

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