FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS AT WORK

No, I’m not talking about those benefits or the kind that come with a pension or life insurance either. I’m talking about those one or two colleagues we ‘click’ with. When you connect with someone, you’re drawn to them. They’re the person you chat with about your weekend around the coffee pot. If there’s an office party, everyone knows which two peas from the pod are coming together. You could spend two lunch hours discussing the intricacies of your mutual frustration finding jeans that fit. That’s your work wife (AKA your work bestie).

As a working gal, the office (or studio, or shop, or wherever you work) can be a goldmine for finding friendships. It’s a joy to love what you do, but having pals alongside you is a huge bonus. Many people like to keep their work and personal lives separate, but I believe that work-life balance can be achieved when those two worlds collide. It is so important to invest in time with your work wife outside the office too. Why? I’m glad you asked!

SHE MAKES GOING TO WORK MORE FUN 

I am lucky enough to say that I enjoy going to work every day, but having a work BFF turn into a real BFF makes it sooooo much sweeter. After the weekend, or a vacation, I’m excited to get back to the grind and catch up with someone who gets my work and my personal life.

Establishing friendship beyond work also makes attending work functions more fun. If there’s an event or party, I always have a buddy ready to come along with me. Because we have nurtured our friendship beyond the office, we won’t be forced to engage in awkward small talk.

SHE WILL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR WORK AND PERSONAL LIVES IN CHECK

When you start to get the urge to gab all day at work, people notice. Assuming you want to keep your professional reputation intact, it would be wise to move some social time outside of your work hours. Your boss probably won’t notice if you don’t take extra-long coffee breaks to gab with a colleague, but she certainly would if extended breaks become a habit.

YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE A LUNCH BUDDY

Speaking of bad habits, my personal worst work habit is skipping my lunch break. My work BFF is probably the only reason that I take an actual lunch break instead of sitting and eating at my desk without taking any real time for myself. We alternate making lunch plans whether it’s to grab sushi or pho or checking out what’s new at our favorite boutiques. Spending lunch breaks out of the office with your office bud is fun, a great way to get to know her, and for me, it breaks a bad habit. For you, it could mean getting a good break in your hectic day or fitting a walk in between meetings.

GET SUPPORT THAT FEW OTHERS CAN GIVE YOU

When you’ve got an issue at the office, sometimes an inside confidante is your only hope. No matter how many times you explain to close vinas who don’t work with you, the context may never be clear. Your work BFF gets your work problems and the personalities at play. Because you have nurtured your relationship beyond the walls of the office, you have someone you can trust to work out problems judgment free because she gets you.

Having a BFF at work just makes life better, and getting outside the office nurtures the relationship. So go ahead, mix business with pleasure!

(Feature image via Lisa Says Gah)