Making Friends Later in Life – Episode 8 Matching Effort: When You’re Doing Too Much in Friendship (And How to Stop)

Have you ever realized you’re the only one reaching out…
the only one making plans…
the only one checking in?

And then one day you stop — and the friendship disappears?

In Episode 8 of our Making Friends Later in Life series, Jennifer and Jackie dive into what it really means to match effort in adult friendships. This isn’t about keeping score or going tit-for-tat. It’s about recognizing when you’re over-functioning, over-giving, and carrying emotional weight that was supposed to be mutual.

We talk about:
• The signs you’re doing too much
• Why women are conditioned to over-give
• The difference between effort and chasing
• How to test a friendship without drama
• Why silence sometimes tells you everything
• And how to protect your energy without becoming cold or bitter

We also share real stories from our own friendships — including the 15 years Jennifer and Jackie weren’t friends — and what it took to rebuild trust, effort, and mutual investment.

If you’ve ever felt drained instead of connected…
resentful but saying nothing…
or scared that if you stop trying, there will be nothing left…

This episode is for you.

Because matching effort isn’t about control.
It’s about clarity.

And the best friendships?
They don’t need chasing — they need reciprocity.

Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your ride-or-die.
And when you're ready to make your friendship official, book your Bestiemony at rhinestoneweddingchapel.com — because the best love stories don’t always come with a ring.

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This episode of Slightly Unsupervised was brought to you by the creators of Bestiemony®—the original friendship ceremony that proves soulmates don’t always come with a marriage license. Hosted by Jennifer and Jackie: best friends, business partners, and co-founders of the movement celebrating real, ride-or-die love.

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📩 Got a bestie story to share or a subject request? Email us at ChickologyPodcasts@gmail.com