LIFE

Dear Carol,

Starting off, I just want to say your advice column is so helpful, and I appreciate what you do so much! I have a good friend (I’ll call her Red). We hang out all the time and tease each other a lot. That seems like a normal friendship, right? But I get this weird feeling when I’m around her that just boosts my mood. Also, Red will say these things that make me so happy that I write them down in my Notes. For example: “You’re my golden retriever.” She said that. I don’t know if this is just how friends feel... or if it’s more. And if it’s more, then what am I? Do I like girls, am I bi or am I straight?

- Friends or More?

Dear Friends or More?,

Thank you for thanking me! Look, it’s wonderful that you have a friend who makes you feel great. My main advice is to enjoy those feelings right now instead of worrying about labels. You don’t need to check a box: straight, gay, bi. Down the road, your body will help you figure all this out. If you and Red both end up wanting to hold hands or more, that’s OK, too. But why force anything when things feel good at the moment? If possible, try to appreciate all this without overanalyzing too much.

Carol Weston is the author of 16 books. The latest is Speed of Life, about a teen girl who writes to an advice columnist. Check out carolweston.com for more.

Need more advice? Read more Dear Carol here:
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by GL | 3/13/2024