Articles & Op-Eds

Dr. Miriam’s Writing

Dr. Miriam regularly shares her insights and expertise on friendship, connection, belonging, and more in global outlets, newspapers, and magazines.

Featured Articles

Featured
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian

Research suggests that chronic loneliness may be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But do we know what loneliness actually is?

Read the Article

The Guardian
Featured
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian

Research suggests that chronic loneliness may be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But do we know what loneliness actually is?

Read the Article

The Guardian
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune

Understanding how social connection works as a key component of employee wellness initiatives.

Read the Article

The San Diego Union-Tribune
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today

When we feel envious or jealous, it’s not uncommon for other difficult emotions to creep up, including sadness, anger, resentment, anxiety, and shame.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today

There is another important barrier that can make it difficult to cope with friendship challenges—the misconceptions we have about our friendships as adults.

Read the Article

Psychology Today

Browse All Writing

Featured
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian

Research suggests that chronic loneliness may be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But do we know what loneliness actually is?

Read the Article

The Guardian
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune

Understanding how social connection works as a key component of employee wellness initiatives.

Read the Article

The San Diego Union-Tribune
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today

When we feel envious or jealous, it’s not uncommon for other difficult emotions to creep up, including sadness, anger, resentment, anxiety, and shame.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today

There is another important barrier that can make it difficult to cope with friendship challenges—the misconceptions we have about our friendships as adults.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How Co-rumination Turns Healthy Relationships Toxic
Psychology Today
How Co-rumination Turns Healthy Relationships Toxic
Psychology Today

What matters more than the number of friends we have, or even how realistic their advice may be, is that we feel as though we are supported.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
Featured
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian

Research suggests that chronic loneliness may be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But do we know what loneliness actually is?

Read the Article

The Guardian
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune

Understanding how social connection works as a key component of employee wellness initiatives.

Read the Article

The San Diego Union-Tribune
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today

When we feel envious or jealous, it’s not uncommon for other difficult emotions to creep up, including sadness, anger, resentment, anxiety, and shame.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today

There is another important barrier that can make it difficult to cope with friendship challenges—the misconceptions we have about our friendships as adults.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How Co-rumination Turns Healthy Relationships Toxic
Psychology Today
How Co-rumination Turns Healthy Relationships Toxic
Psychology Today

What matters more than the number of friends we have, or even how realistic their advice may be, is that we feel as though we are supported.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How to Make Friends When You Don’t Have Play Dates
Psychology Today
How to Make Friends When You Don’t Have Play Dates
Psychology Today

A good place to start is to use your existing social network. Approach people you enjoy spending time with — friends, family, co-workers — and see if they can introduce you to anyone new.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
Dr. Miriam Kirmayer friendship researcher expert science of friendship how to make friends writing guide

get dr. miriam’s guide ———————-

5 Ways to Create Connections That Count

With 5 actionable steps and mindset shifts you can take to build better friendships and closer connections — at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

Featured
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian

Research suggests that chronic loneliness may be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But do we know what loneliness actually is?

Read the Article

The Guardian
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune

Understanding how social connection works as a key component of employee wellness initiatives.

Read the Article

The San Diego Union-Tribune
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today

When we feel envious or jealous, it’s not uncommon for other difficult emotions to creep up, including sadness, anger, resentment, anxiety, and shame.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today

There is another important barrier that can make it difficult to cope with friendship challenges—the misconceptions we have about our friendships as adults.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How Co-rumination Turns Healthy Relationships Toxic
Psychology Today
How Co-rumination Turns Healthy Relationships Toxic
Psychology Today

What matters more than the number of friends we have, or even how realistic their advice may be, is that we feel as though we are supported.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How to Make Friends When You Don’t Have Play Dates
Psychology Today
How to Make Friends When You Don’t Have Play Dates
Psychology Today

A good place to start is to use your existing social network. Approach people you enjoy spending time with — friends, family, co-workers — and see if they can introduce you to anyone new.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How to Maintain a Friendship When You’re in Different Life Stages
The Everygirl
How to Maintain a Friendship When You’re in Different Life Stages
The Everygirl

Trying out a new hobby or activity together is a great way to stay up-to-date on each other’s lives while getting in some much-needed leisure time.

Read the Article

The Everygirl
Featured
How Can You Be the Best Possible Friend?
The Guardian
How Can You Be the Best Possible Friend?
The Guardian

Read the Article

The Guardian
Social Distancing Doesn’t Have To Mean Loneliness
Motherly
Social Distancing Doesn’t Have To Mean Loneliness
Motherly

Read the Article

Motherly
This Is the Secret to Close Friendships
Psychology Today
This Is the Secret to Close Friendships
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
4 Lessons on Friendships and Parenthood
Psychology Today
4 Lessons on Friendships and Parenthood
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
Supporting a Friend Through Infertility
Psychology Today
Supporting a Friend Through Infertility
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How Friends Help and Hinder Our New Year’s Resolutions
Psychology Today
How Friends Help and Hinder Our New Year’s Resolutions
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How to Make Friends as an Adult
CBC
How to Make Friends as an Adult
CBC

Read the Article

CBC
Making Friends: There’s an App for That
Psychology Today
Making Friends: There’s an App for That
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How To Be a Better Listener With Your Friends
The Everygirl
How To Be a Better Listener With Your Friends
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Break Up With Your Friend (and When to Know It’s Time)
The Everygirl
How to Break Up With Your Friend (and When to Know It’s Time)
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Approach Your Friend Who Continually Has the Same Problem
The Everygirl
How to Approach Your Friend Who Continually Has the Same Problem
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Handle Competitiveness in Friendships
The Everygirl
How to Handle Competitiveness in Friendships
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
6 (Non-Awkward) Ways To Approach Someone You Want To Be Friends With
The Everygirl
6 (Non-Awkward) Ways To Approach Someone You Want To Be Friends With
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
8 Signs You’re in a Toxic Friendship
The Everygirl
8 Signs You’re in a Toxic Friendship
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Support a Friend Who Is Dealing With Anxiety
The Everygirl
How to Support a Friend Who Is Dealing With Anxiety
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
Featured
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian
It’s Time To Rethink What Loneliness Is
The Guardian

Research suggests that chronic loneliness may be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But do we know what loneliness actually is?

Read the Article

The Guardian
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune
How Do Workers and Employers Cultivate Friendships at Work
The San Diego Union-Tribune

Understanding how social connection works as a key component of employee wellness initiatives.

Read the Article

The San Diego Union-Tribune
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today
How to Cope When You’re Envious of a Friend
Psychology Today

When we feel envious or jealous, it’s not uncommon for other difficult emotions to creep up, including sadness, anger, resentment, anxiety, and shame.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today
5 Lies About Adult Friendships
Psychology Today

There is another important barrier that can make it difficult to cope with friendship challenges—the misconceptions we have about our friendships as adults.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How Co-rumination Turns Healthy Relationships Toxic
Psychology Today
How Co-rumination Turns Healthy Relationships Toxic
Psychology Today

What matters more than the number of friends we have, or even how realistic their advice may be, is that we feel as though we are supported.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How to Make Friends When You Don’t Have Play Dates
Psychology Today
How to Make Friends When You Don’t Have Play Dates
Psychology Today

A good place to start is to use your existing social network. Approach people you enjoy spending time with — friends, family, co-workers — and see if they can introduce you to anyone new.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How to Maintain a Friendship When You’re in Different Life Stages
The Everygirl
How to Maintain a Friendship When You’re in Different Life Stages
The Everygirl

Trying out a new hobby or activity together is a great way to stay up-to-date on each other’s lives while getting in some much-needed leisure time.

Read the Article

The Everygirl
Six Mistakes to Avoid When Making Friends
Psychology Today
Six Mistakes to Avoid When Making Friends
Psychology Today

Sometimes the most helpful way to understand how we can make new friends is to recognize the behaviors we should try our best to avoid.

Read the Article

Psychology Today
Featured
How Can You Be the Best Possible Friend?
The Guardian
How Can You Be the Best Possible Friend?
The Guardian

Read the Article

The Guardian
Social Distancing Doesn’t Have To Mean Loneliness
Motherly
Social Distancing Doesn’t Have To Mean Loneliness
Motherly

Read the Article

Motherly
This Is the Secret to Close Friendships
Psychology Today
This Is the Secret to Close Friendships
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
4 Lessons on Friendships and Parenthood
Psychology Today
4 Lessons on Friendships and Parenthood
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
Supporting a Friend Through Infertility
Psychology Today
Supporting a Friend Through Infertility
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How Friends Help and Hinder Our New Year’s Resolutions
Psychology Today
How Friends Help and Hinder Our New Year’s Resolutions
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How to Make Friends as an Adult
CBC
How to Make Friends as an Adult
CBC

Read the Article

CBC
Making Friends: There’s an App for That
Psychology Today
Making Friends: There’s an App for That
Psychology Today

Read the Article

Psychology Today
How To Be a Better Listener With Your Friends
The Everygirl
How To Be a Better Listener With Your Friends
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Break Up With Your Friend (and When to Know It’s Time)
The Everygirl
How to Break Up With Your Friend (and When to Know It’s Time)
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Approach Your Friend Who Continually Has the Same Problem
The Everygirl
How to Approach Your Friend Who Continually Has the Same Problem
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Handle Competitiveness in Friendships
The Everygirl
How to Handle Competitiveness in Friendships
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
6 (Non-Awkward) Ways To Approach Someone You Want To Be Friends With
The Everygirl
6 (Non-Awkward) Ways To Approach Someone You Want To Be Friends With
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
8 Signs You’re in a Toxic Friendship
The Everygirl
8 Signs You’re in a Toxic Friendship
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Support a Friend Who Is Dealing With Anxiety
The Everygirl
How to Support a Friend Who Is Dealing With Anxiety
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Tell Your Friend When They’re Being Self-Obsessed
The Everygirl
How to Tell Your Friend When They’re Being Self-Obsessed
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
Is My Anxiety Normal? Here’s How to Tell…
The Everygirl
Is My Anxiety Normal? Here’s How to Tell…
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
How to Communicate with Your Significant Other When You’re Arguing
The Everygirl
How to Communicate with Your Significant Other When You’re Arguing
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
Why Selfish Is Not Always a Dirty Word
The Everygirl
Why Selfish Is Not Always a Dirty Word
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl
Friend or Therapist? How to Support a Needy Friend
The Everygirl
Friend or Therapist? How to Support a Needy Friend
The Everygirl

Read the Article

The Everygirl

academic publications & presentations

Friendship Research

Dr. Miriam’s friendship research is the foundation for her writing, speaking, and consulting work on the power of connection and belonging.