At Sole Sister Ramblers, we celebrate and inspire friendship among women, especially in midlife and beyond. There is something truly special about the bond we share with our female friends. They walk beside us through life's seasons, cheering us on, catching us when we fall, and reminding us who we are when we forget.
Science confirms what many of us have always known in our hearts—close female friendships help us stay healthier, happier, and more connected as we age.
Good friendships have the power to ease loneliness, improve our physical and emotional wellbeing, lift our mood, strengthen our sense of self-worth, and bring purpose and joy to everyday life. Research even suggests that meaningful friendships are linked to longevity, while loneliness can increase the risk of illness and premature death.
Our brains are wired for connection. Supportive friendships help us feel safe, seen, heard, and understood. They remind us that we don't have to navigate life's challenges alone. Female friendships are also remarkably enduring. The average friendship between women lasts around sixteen years, and once we reach our mid-fifties, those friendships often become even more enduring, lasting an average of twenty-three years.
I feel incredibly blessed to have experienced this firsthand.
One of my dearest friendships has lasted for more than fifty years. We met as children, long before we understood where life would take us. Like many lifelong friendships, ours hasn't been without seasons of distance. There were years when life pulled us in different directions as we built careers, raised families, and found our own paths. Sometimes weeks became months, and months became years.
But somehow, no matter how much time had passed, we always found our way back to each other.
Every reunion felt effortless, as though no time had passed at all. Today, our friendship feels richer and more meaningful than ever, even though we live half a world away from each other. Without the constant demands of raising children or juggling busy careers, we have the gift of time to truly enjoy each other's company. We laugh harder, listen more deeply, and treasure every heartfelt conversation. It's a friendship that has grown stronger with age, and I don't take that gift for granted.
But midlife isn't only about cherishing the friendships we've carried with us over the years. It is also a wonderful time to open our hearts to new friendships.
Sometimes we tell ourselves that our closest friendships have already been made. I don't believe that's true. Every stage of life offers us the opportunity to meet women whose experiences, values, and outlook on life resonate with our own. There is something incredibly special about finding friends who understand exactly where you are today—women who are embracing new freedoms, navigating life's changes, or simply looking for meaningful connection and adventure.
This is one of the reasons we created Sole Sister Ramblers.
We wanted to create more than a walking group. We wanted to create a welcoming community where women could step outside, immerse themselves in nature, share stories, laugh together, and build genuine friendships. One of the greatest joys has been watching women arrive at their first Ramble feeling a little nervous because they don't know anyone, only to leave having found a walking companion, a coffee buddy, or even a lifelong friend.
Seeing these friendships blossom reminds us why Sole Sister Ramblers exists. It is proof that it is never too late to find your people. Whether a friendship has lasted fifty years or fifty days, the love, support, laughter, and connection it brings can enrich our lives in extraordinary ways. Every Ramble is an invitation to discover friendships that make the journey through life even more meaningful.
Midlife and beyond offer us a beautiful opportunity for reinvention. It is a season to embrace new freedoms, rediscover ourselves, and become intentional about how—and with whom—we spend our time.
As life changes, our friendships often become one of our greatest sources of comfort, encouragement, and connection.
So how do we create, nurture, and maintain these precious relationships?
Friendships are cultivated through honesty, kindness, and consistency. They grow when we truly listen, celebrate each other's successes, sit beside one another through disappointments, and simply show up. They deepen when we're willing to be vulnerable, to share not only our triumphs but also our fears, struggles, and imperfections.
Real friendship isn't about pretending everything is perfect. It's about feeling safe enough to be our authentic selves.
Strong friendships also require grace. Sometimes we gently encourage one another to make healthier choices. Sometimes we simply hold space without trying to fix anything. There will be seasons when one friend gives more than the other, because friendship, much like walking together on a winding trail, has its own rhythm. Some days we lead, and other days we lean.
There will inevitably be misunderstandings and disappointments along the way. None of us is perfect. We all make mistakes, say the wrong thing, or fail to show up in the way we wish we had. Lasting friendships are built on forgiveness, humility, and the willingness to apologise when we've caused hurt. They flourish when we choose compassion over criticism and remember that the years of shared memories far outweigh the occasional bumps in the road.
As I've grown older, I've come to realise that time is a gift. Giving our friends our presence, our attention, and our genuine care is one of the greatest expressions of love we can offer. The walks we share, the conversations we have, the laughter, the tears, and the memories we create become part of the rich tapestry of our lives.
So, my beautiful Sole Sisters, as you ramble through your week, I encourage you to reach out to an old friend or introduce yourself to someone new on your next walk. Invite a friend for a coffee, share a trail, or simply smile and start a conversation with the woman walking beside you.
You never know where that first hello might lead.
Because life's journey is always a little lighter, a little brighter, and infinitely more joyful when we walk it together.
The signs of a good friendship:
Laughter is abundant
Honesty is encouraged
Vulnerability is welcomed
Support is real and active
You can put your guard down
You inspire each other to grow
You give each other good advice
They help during times of struggle
Both of you feel stronger together - Yung Pueblo
READ MORE > Jane's Mindful Musings, Rambler Cafe Blog
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