Most of us haven’t been taught that breaking up with a friend is worthy of sympathy, it leaves a lot of ambiguity around how we should feel when one is ending, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

"Many people want to feel that their friendships are close and exciting. Excessive spending is often used to fill a void that has to do with feeling disconnected or lonely," says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

Because the whole "making friend with moms" thing doesn't feel intuitive, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer weighs in with some helpful tips.

"We tend to think of women's friendships as being much more intimate than men's, and there are certainly some meaningful differences," Dr. Miriam Kirmayer told Snapchat.

“Women — especially women of colour — who feel more socially connected with one another tend to feel more comfortable asserting themselves,” says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

Not every friend needs to be your BFF. Dr. Miriam Kirmayer helps explain why weaker ties can help offer strong rewards.

“Sometimes meeting people with whom you hit it off is a matter of chance… Recognize and reward any steps you take to approach someone new,” says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

Many couples are forgoing religious norms and traditional vows for wedding ceremonies they feel are more individualized, more intimate, and maybe even more fun. Dr. Miriam Kirmayer weighs in.

Therapist Dr. Miriam Kirmayer suggests paying attention to the ‘shoulds’ you hold around friendship as you deal with difficult relationships.

Cleaning out your closet is well and good, but it’s also important to take stock of the people and relationships in your life, according to therapist and friendship researcher Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

The first step, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, a therapist and friendship expert, is to set the stage by knowing the expectations we have for our friendships.

If a friend disapproves of your relationship, getting some solid perspective from your friend can ”allow you to have the kind of discussions that help you preserve your friendship," says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

How do you go about building those relationships with other parents? Friendship expert Dr. Miriam Kirmayer shares some tips.

“As adults, we become busy with work, romance, children, careers, and aging parents. Even if we do have time to meet new people, where can we look?” Dr. Miriam Kirmayer says.

It's tempting to focus on the missteps of others when a relationship begins to feel negative, but therapist and friendship researcher Miriam Kirmayer says it's important to examine your own role in the dynamic, too.

"The busyness and structure of adulthood just isn't set up for helping us to make and keep friends," friendship expert and therapist Dr. Miriam Kirmayer says.

“As we transition out of emerging adulthood, we’re no longer surrounded by a group of same-age peers who happen to be in a similar life stage and with whom we have things in common,” says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

Having a friendship with someone who is older allows for a “window into a different life experience or state,” says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

So what can account for the big friendship shift that seems to occur once you hit your third or fourth decade? According to Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, the answer is simple: life.

“More often than not, friendships end because of this gradual distancing process that happens.” To help you navigate this tough time, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer shares six tips for how to deal.