Four Friends All Girls Need
As a twenty-something woman navigating the unpredictable terrain of modern life—career ambitions, romantic entanglements, personal growth, and the ever-looming question, “What am I actually meant to be doing with my life?”, one truth has become abundantly clear: a strong circle of friendships is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline.
But I’m not talking about casual acquaintances or those friends-of-convenience you outgrow by your third existential crisis. I’m talking about the right friends, the ones who challenge you, champion you, ground you, and remind you who you are when the world gets noisy. And who better to help us decode the elegant complexity of female friendship than the ever-iconic quartet of Sex and the City?
Each of these women, Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda, embodies a distinct archetype, offering us a modern blueprint for the friendships every woman deserves in her twenties and beyond.
1. The Confidant – Carrie Bradshaw
Carrie is the quintessential confidante. Equal parts emotionally intelligent and intellectually curious, she offers the kind of wisdom that doesn’t seek to fix but instead understands. She’s the friend you call when your heart is heavy and your mind is tangled. With Carrie, no thought is too ridiculous, no feeling too intense, she meets you where you are, without judgement.
In a world that often encourages women to be palatable rather than authentic, the Carrie in your life is your safe space. She listens with empathy, responds with humour, and offers insights that make you feel seen rather than scrutinised. She’s the woman who’ll share a late-night phone call dissecting a career decision or mourning the end of a situationship, and somehow make you feel like both a mess and a masterpiece at the same time.
2. The Realist – Charlotte York
Charlotte, ever the idealist with traditional leanings, is paradoxically the realist you never knew you needed. While others may encourage you to follow every fleeting impulse, Charlotte is the one who reminds you of your values, of love, of legacy, of the life you're building, not just the one you're surviving.
In your twenties, when the pressure to keep up with everyone else's timelines can feel suffocating, Charlotte is your reminder that some things are worth waiting for. Her grounded optimism and refined poise inspire you to hold out for substance over spectacle. She’ll gently bring you back to earth when your head’s in the clouds, not to stifle your dreams, but to help you plant them firmly in something that can grow.
3. The Wild Card – Samantha Jones
Enter Samantha, bold, unapologetic, and ungoverned by societal expectation. She is the embodiment of autonomy, pleasure, and self-worth. Samantha doesn’t wait for permission; she walks into every room like she owns the building, and if she doesn’t, she’ll charm the keys out of someone who does.
Having a Samantha in your life is a divine disruption. She dares you to be bigger, bolder, and utterly uninterested in the opinions of those who play small. She reminds you that confidence is not arrogance, it’s a form of self-respect. Whether she’s encouraging you to pivot careers, try something new in the bedroom, or simply take up more space, Samantha is your personal permission slip to be powerful and unbothered.
4. The Nurturer – Miranda Hobbes
Miranda is the modern nurturer. Less about hugs and hand-holding, more about showing up with action and integrity. She’s the friend who’ll proofread your personal statement, send you job leads, and offer constructive advice even when you’d prefer validation. She loves not by coddling, but by investing in your potential.
In an age of performative friendships, Miranda is refreshingly real. She doesn’t just cheer for you, she builds with you. She brings a healthy dose of pragmatism to your lofty plans, not to discourage you, but to ensure your wings are strong enough to fly. In Miranda, we see that ambition is not cold or masculine; it’s nurturing in its own way, a belief that women are capable of great things, and deserving of unwavering support.
The Beauty of Balance
What makes these archetypes so resonant is the way they harmonise with one another. Carrie’s emotional nuance balances Charlotte’s traditional ideals. Samantha’s audacity liberates Miranda’s pragmatism. And in turn, Miranda’s strategic mind tethers Samantha’s wild heart. These friendships do not compete, they complement.
In your twenties, when self-definition is both exhilarating and exhausting, these friendships become the mirror in which you see your best self reflected. They challenge you to evolve while anchoring you in love. They remind you that growth does not happen in isolation, but in community.
And perhaps the most elegant truth of all: you will, at times, embody each of these women yourself. You will be the confidant, the realist, the wild card, and the nurturer. The beauty lies in knowing when to lean into each role, for your friends, and for yourself.
So, if you’re stumbling through career chaos, navigating the fog of early adulthood, or simply seeking your tribe in a world that often confuses noise with connection, look for these four women. And when you find them, hold on.
Because with a Carrie to confide in, a Charlotte to keep you grounded, a Samantha to light your fire, and a Miranda to hold the line, you’re not just surviving your twenties.
You’re thriving.
