Why Female Friendships Get So Complicated in Midlife (And What To Do About It)

What happens when your growth threatens stagnant friendships—and why confident women get called narcissists by wounded friends

If you've lost close friendships in midlife and you're left wondering "what happened?"—this conversation is for you.

Female friendships can feel more complicated after 40 than they ever did in high school. The drama, the jealousy, the sudden coldness from friends who once felt like family. Maybe you've been called "too much," "selfish," or even a "narcissist" by someone who was supposed to support you.

In this episode, I'm sharing what I learned after losing two significant friendships—including a 35-year friendship that ended explosively during a holiday gathering, and a social friend who publicly accused me of being a narcissist over a lighthearted joke.

Both experiences devastated me. Both left me questioning everything. But they also taught me something crucial about how female friendships work in midlife—and why some women absolutely cannot handle your growth.

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:

Why friendship drama isn't just a teenage thing—and why midlife friendship shifts hit differently

The two foundations of female friendship: emotional support and sameness (and what happens when they shift)

Why identity transitions change friendship dynamics—and why the friendships that worked when you were small don't work when you're thriving

The "confident woman problem": How your growth can threaten stagnant friends

Narcissist vs confident woman: The critical differences (and how to tell if YOU'RE actually the problem)

How covert jealousy shows up in female friendships—the subtle digs, backhanded compliments, and passive-aggressive attacks

Signs a friendship has become toxic—and when it's time to let go

How to choose differently: Finding women who celebrate your wins instead of needing you wounded

KEY INSIGHT:

"To a wounded person, confidence looks like narcissism. Because in their world, anyone who doesn't shrink is selfish."

If you've been called "too confident," accused of having an ego, or made to feel like your growth is a problem—this episode will help you understand what's actually happening.

EPISODE QUOTE:

"You're not too much. You're finally, beautifully, unapologetically enough. And the women who can't handle your confidence? They're showing you exactly who doesn't belong in your next chapter."

FREE RESOURCES:

Get Your FREE Midlife Reset Starter Kit Discover the 7 hidden patterns keeping midlife women stuck—and how to shift them. → Download here

READY TO GO DEEPER?

The Midlife Reinvention Roadmap ($33) The complete 90-day system to move from uncertainty to clarity, set boundaries, and build the confidence to create what's next. → Enroll now

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

By Beryl Dingemans:

Breaking Free From The Mother Wound: Navigating Narcissists, Gaslighting & Toxic Relationships in Midlife → Available on Amazon

Recommended Reading (Affiliate Links):

"Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson → https://amzn.to/4plPylR Essential reading for understanding why you attract certain friendship dynamics."Set Boundaries, Find Peace" by Nedra Glover Tawwab → https://amzn.to/3KtoQbX Practical guide to setting boundaries in all relationships, including friendships."The Narcissist in Your Life" by Julie L. Hall → https://amzn.to/3KuEns3 Recognizing and recovering from narcissistic relationships."Toxic Friends" by Susan Shapiro Barash → https://amzn.to/48HlvOy The warning signs of bad relationships and how to recover."Frientimacy" by Shasta Nelson → https://amzn.to/48BuBfx How to deepen friendships for lifelong health and happiness."Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés → https://amzn.to/4oIwjSC Myths and stories of the wild woman archetype—reclaiming your instincts."Nice Girl Syndrome" by Beverly Engel → https://amzn.to/44dsA8b Stop being manipulated and abused—and start standing up for yourself."The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown → https://amzn.to/48En141 Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are.

CONNECT:

🎧 LISTEN TO THE RADIANT RESET PODCAST:🎵 Substack Podcast → https://beryldingemans.substack.com/p...🎵 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🎵 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3rllLqD...

LET'S TALK:

Have you experienced this in your midlife friendships?

Leave a comment below:

Have you lost friendships that blindsided you?

Have you been called "too much" or a narcissist?

Are you navigating complicated female friendships right now?

I read and respond to every comment. Your story might be exactly what another woman needs to hear.

SHARE THIS EPISODE:

If this resonated with you, please share it with another woman navigating midlife friendship complications. That's how we find our people.

📸 Instagram: @theradiantreset → https://www.instagram.com/theradiantreset/🌐 Website: beryldingemans.com → https://beryldingemans.com/✍️ Newsletter & Blog: Substack → https://beryldingemans.substack.com/🛍️ Shop All Resources → https://payhip.com/TheRadiantReset

#MidlifeFriendships #FemaleFriendships #ToxicFriendships #WomenOver40 #MidlifeConfidence #NarcissisticFriends #SettingBoundaries #ConfidentWomen #FriendshipBreakup #MidlifeWomen #TheRadiantReset #CovertJealousy #HealingFromToxicRelationships

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