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Guide to Life: Is Friendship Just Another Task?

How to stay connected with friends when life feels like a never-ending to-do list.

The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life is your toolkit for the juggle, the struggle and everything in between.

Maintaining friendships in adulthood can feel like a full-time job—especially when calendars clash, energy runs low, and “let’s catch up soon” becomes a recurring loop.

In our first episode, Nuala McGovern explores why staying connected is so challenging in a busy life, and what we can actually do about it. Expect practical tips on how to nurture meaningful friendships, even when time is impossibly tight.

Joining Nuala is the journalist Claire Cohen, psychotherapist Dr Julia Samuel, and the psychologist Dr Marisa G Franco, who share expert insights, relatable stories, and advice you’ll genuinely want to put into practice.

GET IN TOUCH with your dilemmas and questions for The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life:

*WhatsApp: 03700 100 444
* Social media: @bbcwomanshour
* Email: womanshour.yourviews@bbc.co.uk

Episodes of The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life are released on Sundays, only on ѿý Sounds and you can also watch videos from the recordings on Instagram @bbcwomanshour

The Woman's Hour Guide to Life is presented by Nuala McGovern. It is produced by Sarah-Jane Griffiths with Dianne McGregor and Sophie Powling. The Content Editor is Olivia Bolton. The Executive Editor is Karen Dalziel.

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Available now

35 minutes

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