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While #SquadGoals are the new thing when it comes to your closet group of gal pals, or like some like to call “BFF,” there’s one question I have: Is there a limit to how many best friends you can have?
During a recent Girl Chat on The Real, the co-hosts shared their opinion on the idea. Interestingly, the segment was prefaced with some real-life information from Robin Dunbar, a British Anthropologist, who expressed that due to the size of our neocortex, our brains are only capable of having up to five BFFs at a time.
Lonnie explained that with her busy schedule as a comedian, actress, and author, it’s hard for her to maintain long distance and really close relationships right now in her life. Therefore, she agrees with the limit. When it came to Tamera, the twin and mother of two shared that for her it’s more so about quality than quantity when it comes to BFFs. For Jeannie, she recognized that when there’s more friends, it’s actually harder to connect, especially at one time and in one area. “No more than six because it gets out of hand,” she concluded. Tamar, however, who grew up with four sisters loves the idea of having multiple friends, but she did agree that she has friends for different situations. There’s the friend you call to have a drink with and turn up. There’s the friend that’s great for advice. There’s the friend that simply just listens when you need to vent.
Personally, navigating the choppy, not always clear POV of the BFF stamp has been a journey. My ideology definitely took some years and lots of trial and error throughout my teens and early adulthood, but it helped me understand what I look for in a real friend and who are genuinely there for me. Today, I’d say I’m very black and white and picky when it comes to separating associates from friends and best friends. Honestly, each is different. But I see my BFFs as a reflection of who I am, therefore I like to keep things simple, and like Tamera, choose quality over quantity. While I have many friends and associates, only a special few know me on a different level, which is bonded together by trust and loyalty.
So, is there a BFF limit? For me, the answer is most definitely yes. However, everyone is different and has various views and personalities. What are your thoughts?
