I’m 30 and keeping in touch with friends is near impossible

Keeping in touch with your friends in your thirties is WAY harder than I thought it would be! First loves, first heartbreaks, first shags etc. My best friends are my people, my chosen family. I’d go as far as saying some of them are like siblings.

I remember the first time I saw my best friend Jordan like it was yesterday. It would’ve been around 2008 when I auditioned for the Sylvia Young Theatre School. As we were waiting for my audition, out of nowhere this stunning black boy came strutting down the corridor.



It’s almost like he was gliding. He had the same uniform on as everyone else but the way he’d styled it was so chic: a cute little handbag moment with specs to boot. With a swish of his calf, he was off.

I remember turning to my mum in astonishment, letting out a nervous laugh. Looking back I think that laugh was my insecurity showing. I’d never seen someone so fab in the flesh and I personally hadn’t been able to be that free in a school setting before.

It was an insight into how life *could* be for a young queer theatre kid. I remember thinking “I want what he’s having and I NEED to be his friend”.if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "inread-hb-ros-inews"}); }Some would say I was manifesting before it was cool because I did become his friend.

His best friend actually. We bonded over a mutual love for The Pussycat Dolls, naturally. Lunch breaks and sleepovers consisted of learning every single bit of choreography from our favourite girl group.

We stuck by each other’s side even after I left Sylvias and went on to attend Italia Conti Theatre Arts. This is where I met the rest of the clan and with Jordan’s best friend John and four others, we all moulded into “The Hunties”. It was a mashup of rival theatre schools.

Hunty is actually a word that came from the drag scene: it’s a mixture between that really naughty word that I won’t write beginning with C and honey. In the queer world it’s a kind of sassy term of endearment. After it became our WhatsApp group name it just stuck – and we’ve embraced it ever since.

We created so many happy – and messy – memories. Our yearly trips to Ibiza were the staple but there was also the occasional dash to Malaga and Amsterdam.if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_mobile_l1"}); }if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l1"}); }Summer holidays were a given with friends back then.

As were events such as London Pride – we did our twenties at a time when people actually still partied and went clubbing. The streets of Soho saw us coming nightly. Freedom Bar Soho was our base.

We actually revisited it recently as our Maddy is now a mum (yay) and needed to let her hair down. She grabbed our hands and said “Boys, I really need this, please”. So, a big gay night out it was – and on a school night!The meet-ups are rarer now.

Often out of term-time, as one of the gang, Ella, is a teacher and lives in Bristol. A lot of us are self-employed, so we have to take up work which comes our way – often at the expense of trips we might have planned – like our one to Paris. I am accepting of that – but I think it makes it all the more important that when we do meet up, we are present.

I just wish there was an extra day in the week we could put aside to just have “us” time.I wouldn’t change my friends for the world. It’s not even like we fight, we’ve never had a massive bust up.

We bicker obviously, but in a more sibling way you know? A few of us lived away from home to attend theatre school so we leant on each other through the tough times. Life was simpler back then as we only had each other. Now we have our amazing partners, husbands, babies, and stuff like mortgages! Priorities change and that’s okay, but this year I’m really trying to make a conscious decision to try harder in my friendships.

I want to treat them like romantic relationships. For example, If you say you’re gonna come to that birthday party that’s been in the diary for months, SHOW UP. Don’t be flakey and message that same day and be like “Oh sorry babes, I’ve finished work late and the trains are delayed.

” It’s not cute.I’m trying to be accountable and also hold my friends accountable too. Even if we book a brunch six months ahead: Get.

It. In. The.

Diary. And be present. Because otherwise it’s always going to be “aw remember when we did this or remember when we did that”.

Instead of actually doing it, and living the moments.#color-context-related-article-3629336 {--inews-color-primary: #3759B7;--inews-color-secondary: #EFF2FA;--inews-color-tertiary: #3759B7;} Read Next square KATE LISTER I'm middle-aged and don't like socialising - how do I make new friends?Read MoreLet’s be real, how many times have you said “let’s do a coffee” or “dinner soon” and..

. Shock horror, it never happens. Of course we have more responsibilities now and that’s okay.

But if your friends mean as much to you as mine do to me, you’ll fight for them.Life is not a dress rehearsal, we have ONE chance to LIVE and make those memories. So go book that brunch or trip to Vegas with the gays, girlies (or the lads!).

Pretty sure you won’t regret it. And if you do, at least you’ll have some tea to spill at the next secret gathering in six months time.if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_mobile_l2"}); }if(window.

adverts) { window.adverts.addToArray({"pos": "mpu_tablet_l2"}); }Love you my Hunties.

.. Jordan, John, Ella, Poppy, Maddy & Liam xThis week I have been.

..Watching.

.. The White Lotus.

I feel like everyones watching this at the mo, and listen...

Dunno about you’s but I’m actually loving it. Yes it’s a different vibe to the other series but so far so good. It’s deffo making me want to book another trip to Thailand.

Not to get caught up in any mess or murder obvious – but because it looks so gorgeous. I am a big Aimee Lou fan so it’s amazing seeing her hold her own and shine with the Hollywood stars. Also, in response to the people hating on the new theme tune online: everyone needs to leave the theme tune alone.

Me and my boyfriend James bop to it every single time, it’s just a different kinda groove. Get into it!Travelling..

. to Marrakech. This was my second time visiting Morocco and I took my partner.

The mood board was quite simply SUNSHINE and somewhere close enough we can just dash for the weekend so yeah...

We were really excited and honestly – this break was much needed. It was the perfect mix of chaos and chill. Day one we wandered around the souks dodging snakes, monkeys, and donkeys.

Day two, we treated ourselves to a gorgeous pool day at swanky hotel Royal Mansour. The sun was shining, and vibes were immaculate. We stayed there all day then headed to a rooftop restaurant for cocktails and dinner.

Was gorge.Soon after coming back, I had the honour of winning my first ever Olivier award – for best supporting actor in the musical Titanique – a dream come true. I’ve been celebrating by sitting on the couch for once and doing absolutely nothing!Listening.

.. to The Receipts Podcast.

Always and forever my fave podcast of all time. The two hosts Tolly & Audrey always bring the vibes. They basically read out people’s problems and dilemmas and help them out with things they have going on in their lives – whether it be breakups or friendship drama etc.

Think two beautiful black agony aunts but fun, chic and hilarious. The last couple episodes have absolutely slapped because their guest have been top tier. They had Mel B on and it was such a moment – plus British model Leomi Anderson who I have been following since her early days.

Legit couldn’t recommend this podcast more. 10/10Layton Williams is currently performing in Titanique at London’s Criterion Theatre, until 8 June 2025; london.titaniquemusical.

com.