We live in a society that is all about physical appearance, body shaming and diet culture. I can’t tell you the amount of junk emails I receive in a week from companies promoting their latest fad diet, or advertising a new fitness app. We are being programmed by the media and social platforms to obsess over the calories in our food and rejecting food groups such as carbohydrates, not realising the impact it has on our relationships with food and ourselves.

Where do you stand on making new friends? Do you feel you’re all set for social connection, or are you one of the 25% of adults who struggles with feeling lonely? It probably won’t surprise anyone that the official stats on loneliness have only worsened since 2020, as Covid has shrunk social circles en masse. Of course, other factors can contribute to this; however, the importance of friendship and social connection cannot be underestimated for a fulfilling life.