There’s nothing better than having a couch friend. You know, the type of friend who you can be your full, authentic self with. This is the friend that you probably immediatetly texted first when you heard about the Tayvis engagement news. They don’t care about what you look like or if you have last night’s mascara smeared on your face, and they definitely don’t judge you for the leftover Taco Bell wrappers on your coffee table. (Probably because they were there eating a Cheesy Gordita Crunch with you in the first place.)
Couch friends are the type who simply let you exist in your natural state. You don’t have to be “on” with them, and there are no expectations or added pressure when you hang out. Whether you want to have a little gossip sesh or sit in complete silence on your phones, they’re down for whichever vibe.
In a world where it’s increasingly more difficult to make friends as an adult, couch friends are the type of people you don’t want to take for granted. “They offer an opportunity to recharge — both mentally and emotionally — by providing a space where you don’t have to worry about performing or meeting expectations,” psychotherapist Attiya Awadallah says. And as it turns out, having this kind of friendship in your life might actually be more important than you think.
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Attiya Awadallah is a psychotherapist and the owner of Lenora: Art Therapy and Counseling.
Taylor Andrews is the senior balance editor at Popsugar, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With eight years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.
