“I’m not your BFF”: why the different tiers of friendship are more complex than we think

Friends making pinky promise against pink background

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Family and Friends


“I’m not your BFF”: why the different tiers of friendship are more complex than we think

By Leah Sinclair

3 years ago

2 min read

From acquaintances to best friends, there are various tiers to friendship, and sometimes, one friend may be more invested than the other. Stylist speaks to life coach Juliette Mullen about navigating this complex space and unpacking the four stages of friendship that often go unacknowledged.

When it comes to relationships, it’s usually the romantic ones – and the various tiers within them – that are prioritised.

From the talking stage to casually dating and being ‘exclusive’, the different levels of our romantic relationships are often at the forefront of any ‘ship’ people seem to care about – but is that the one that shapes us the most?

After all, our familial relationships are the ones that most of us are first introduced to, and our friendships are the first relationships we actively choose in our lives.

In the words of bell hooks: “Satisfying friendships in which we share mutual love provides a guide for behaviour in other relationships, including romantic ones.”

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