The Economist reported a sharp drop in wine sales this January. More people are forgoing alcohol, trading it for clearer mornings and better sleep. That’s the story we tell ourselves, anyway.
But there’s something more alarming hiding beneath that statistic. We’re not just giving up wine. We’re giving up the friends we used to share it with.
I work with leaders who seem to have everything figured out: strong finances, disciplined fitness routines, engaged families, and even spiritual practices. But when we map out the facets of self-care, one area consistently shows up depleted: friends.
“I don’t spend enough time with friends,” they’ll admit, almost surprised by their own confession.
We are social animals. We need engagement with others. We need a support group. We want to belong. Yet somehow, we don’t.
Here’s what I’ve noticed: we schedule everything else. Board meetings, quarterly reviews, gym sessions, date nights, even meditation time. But friendships? We relegate them to “when I have time,” which, as we all know, means never.
The irony is brutal. The leaders I coach are brilliant at creating value, optimizing systems, and scaling organizations. They understand leverage and ROI. But they’ve somehow convinced themselves that investing time in friendships is optional.
It’s not.
If you want to feel better about yourself (genuinely better, not just more productive) invest in friends. Schedule that dinner. Make that call. Show up.
We need them. And they need us.
