Ambitious women wear a lot of hats: business owner, mom, partner, volunteer, friend.
And sometimes, let’s be honest, friendship falls to the bottom of the list.
But here’s the truth: friendship isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline.
It’s one of the most essential relationships in our lives, and the memories we make with our friends often become the stories we tell for decades.
This week on The Found Podcast, I’m reflecting on how rituals (both big and small) have strengthened my friendships and anchored me through the chaos of life. These are the “friendship traditions” that have shaped my story, and maybe they’ll spark something in yours too.
From Candy Swaps to Cookie Exchanges
Sixteen years ago, my girlfriends and I started a Christmas candy day. It began as an afternoon of homemade fudge, peanut butter balls, and too much almond bark, and it’s evolved into a full-blown annual tradition complete with inside jokes, laughter, and a few questionable recipes.
It’s the kind of gathering that doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s everything on the inside: joy, connection, and belonging.
I still remember the year one friend brought her “Nana’s famous fudge recipe” — which turned out to be word-for-word from the back of a marshmallow cream jar. JUST like that episode of Friends with the chocolate chip cookies. To this day, “Nana’s Fudge” is part of our group lexicon, a story we retell every December while stirring up cookie dough and dipping anything and everything in almond bark.
Traditions like these may seem small, but they are sacred in their consistency.
They remind us that friendship isn’t built in one big moment…it’s built through hundreds of small ones.
Everyday Rituals, Seasonal Traditions & Milestone Moments
In the episode, I break down three kinds of friendship rituals that keep our connections strong through every stage of life:
- Everyday Rituals
These are the simple touchpoints that keep friendships alive — the daily text threads, the Saturday morning walks, the quick “how’s your week?” calls while folding laundry. They’re the “thinking of you” moments that require almost no planning, but mean everything. “Connection doesn’t have to be complicated — it just has to be consistent.” - Seasonal Traditions
These are the anchors that give shape to our year. Think: book clubs, Friendsgiving brunches, couples’ game nights, or summer scavenger hunts.
They’re the moments that make time feel cyclical, not fleeting — something to look forward to and come back to, year after year. - Life Milestone Moments
These are the times when we show up for each other in the big stuff: births, losses, diagnoses, surgeries, or those “just because” moments when someone needs reminding they’re not alone.
I’ve learned that when life gets heavy, true friends become your chosen family. Last year, when my daughter faced a major surgery, my circle of girlfriends showed up in ways I’ll never forget: organizing tee shirt drives, sending food, texting encouragement. They didn’t wait for me to ask; they just came close. That’s what love looks like.
Why Friendship Rituals Matter
Research backs up what our hearts already know:
Rituals strengthen relationships and provide belonging and meaning.
Women who intentionally gather with friends report higher life satisfaction and lower loneliness rates.
These moments, whether they’re cookie swaps or book clubs, are not just fun. They’re a form of care. They’re how we stay tethered when everything else feels like it’s moving too fast.
Traditions become anchors: something to look forward to, to rely on, to remind us who we are outside of the busyness of work and family.
“You won’t remember your to-do list five years from now.
But you’ll remember the people who laughed with you in the kitchen.”
Start Small & Stay Consistent
You don’t need to host a Pinterest-perfect event to build friendship rituals that matter. Start small — maybe with a monthly coffee date, a cookie swap, or even a shared playlist that becomes your thing.
Put it on the calendar. Protect it like you would a client meeting.
And show up…imperfectly but intentionally.
Because the stories you’ll tell years from now won’t be about how productive you were.
They’ll be about the people who showed up for you, and the ones you showed up for.
So here’s my challenge to you:
Start or sustain one friendship tradition this season.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be real.
You’ll be amazed how much joy — and meaning — grows from those simple, repeated moments.
Did this episode resonate with you?
I’d love to hear the traditions that have shaped your friendships.
Send me a DM on Instagram @mollyknuth or hop on my email list to join the conversation in our Found Field Notes newsletter.
And remember — friendship is who and what you choose.
Choose to make time for it. 💛
Resources & Links:
- Awake by Jen Hatmaker — a recommended read on friendship, resilience, and community
- The Psychology of Rituals
- Thriving Together: The Benefits of Women’s Social Ties
- Follow Molly on Instagram: @mollyknuth
- Join the conversation and get updates via The Found Field Notes
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