In 1997, I founded National New Friends, Old Friends Week to celebrate the new friends in our life, but to still cherish our old friends. A few years later, I renamed it International New Friends, Old Friends Week to mark the way that friendship has become more global, especially since social media has made it easier, and more common, to have friends around the world.
International New Friends, Old Friends Week starts annually in May on the Sunday after Mother’s Day (in the U.S.). I purposely chose that time because, for so many, once their mothers have passed, especially if they are childless, friends become their family.
In researching and writing my latest popular book on friendship, I expanded the concept of International New Friends, Old Friends week by giving each day of the seven days a particular focus. You will find details about each of these friendship days, including suggested activities to include, in my new book, in preparation. (Visit your favorite bookstore, or write to me at jyager@aol.com, to find out when that new book on friendship will be published.) In the meantime, here is the suggested Day-by-Day focus for International New Friends, Old Friends Week:
Day 1 (Sunday)
Remember Your Old Friends/Friendshifts Day
Day 2 (Monday)
New Friend Celebration Day
Day 3 (Tuesday)
Friendship and Work Appreciation Day
Day 4 (Wednesday)
Be Your Own Best Friend Day
Day 5 (Thursday)
When Friendship Hurts: A Day of Healing
Day 6 (Friday)
Children and Teens Anti-Bullying and Pro-Friendship Day
Day 7 (Saturday)
Finding the Time for Friendship Day
*International New Friends, Old Friends Week: 7 Days of Friendship Celebrations by Dr. Jan Yager. Copyright © 2017 by Jan Yager, Ph.D. All rights reserved. If you wish to reprint or post this information, include this copyright notice and do not alter the post in anyway.
Dr. Jan Yager is the author of When Friendship Hurts (Simon & Schuster/Touchstone), Friendshifts: The Power of Friendship and How It Shapes Our Lives, and 365 Daily Affirmations for Healthy and Nurturing Relationships, among other titles. For more on Jan, go to: https://drjanyager.com and http://www.whenfriendshiphurts.com. Jan is a friendship coach as well as a professional speaker. Contact your favorite speaker’s bureau, or Jan directly, if you wish to book her for an upcoming event.