The Rehearsal Period with Ashia C . & Chenise J.

Are we friends or just mutual followers?

Ashia Carpenter & Chenise Johnson Episode 10

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0:00 | 27:43

We're baccccckkkkkk! In Episode 10 of The Rehearsal Period, Ashia and Chenise talk about the differences between being friends versus mutuals. Social media has changed the landscape of friendships for the good and bad and the two delve into what they consider a real friend. 


@ashiacarp 

@chenisej 

@divinedanceatl

@thewerklab

SPEAKER_01

Hi, I'm Shanice. And I'm Asia. And this is the rehearsal period where we take you from warm-up to spotlight.

SPEAKER_00

Your behind-the-scenes path to growth, grit, and glow-up.

SPEAKER_01

Janice, what have you been up to? It has been a minute. We are finally back. Is it June 5th?

SPEAKER_00

It's been I think our last episode was in April. It was, it was.

SPEAKER_01

We've had a lot going on. So kind of catch people up. Let them know what you've been doing. Traveling? Working. Working out. Oh, we love that. I've been doing none of that. So tell, I mean, I've been working, but tell me about like your travels first of all. The functions.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I've got some travels coming up, but you know, went back to Florida, did a lot of traveling within Georgia as well for like choreographing for like different dance studios and stuff. Also, I've lately been like traveling around the Cap, Fulton. Um teaching a lot of places. Yeah, teaching a lot of places. Been working out running more. Oh, I did a 5K. That was cute. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

I definitely have been seeing your running videos, and I'm like, okay, as I'm sitting on the couch. No, my girl loves to run. It's definitely a great idea. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

But it's been it's been hectic, but it's been fulfilling.

SPEAKER_01

So how's work been?

SPEAKER_00

Work has been good. I work in a hospital. Um, so there's a point in the beginning of May where it's like hospital week, nurse's week, the week later, EMS week. Yeah, so much happening. We were opening up a lot of different stuff as well. So it's like, yeah, it was a lot. It was a lot. But again, like it was fulfilling. And summer Fridays are bad. Do you know what summer Fridays are? No. Fridays in the summer. Basically, basically, but within work, you know. Oh, you get to work from home? Not even that. Not even that. You don't have to work. Kind of kind of that vibe, but it's just like people just don't work like that during the summers on a Friday. It's a good one. See, you're already off. Like, yeah, life doesn't have to be that serious, especially during the summer. So I people do we do work during the summer. We do work during the summer, but it's like nine times out of ten. Again, mind you, I'm in marketing. Your email might not really get answered like that past 1 p.m. on a Friday. And we love that. We love that love that Anna said, girl or guy, do not be scheduling no meeting afternoon on a Friday. Like, what are we talking about? One time I had a meeting on Friday at 4 p.m. I said, Oh, y'all are crazy. Yeah. Y'all are crazy.

SPEAKER_01

Okay. Well, I'm glad it's going well. I think just taking time this summer is good anyway. I have to remind myself to actually enjoy the summer because yeah, I will be cooped up in the house. But same here. Haven't really gotten to travel because we've been having our busy season at work. So competitions recital was insane. And right back with it with auditions the next week. Banquet, all the things, but it's been good. It's very fulfilling.

SPEAKER_00

Good. Good. What was the most memorable moment of the hectic of the last two months?

SPEAKER_01

Oh, okay. So we had graduating seniors for the first time at the studio. And I've always said, like, you know, when I have graduating seniors, I can't wait because it's such a special moment. So just getting able, just being able to celebrate them, getting to watch them do their last solo on stage at recital and all their senior goodbye stuff. And you know, did you see that picture of me crying backstage?

SPEAKER_00

I did.

SPEAKER_01

Uh check out my Instagram if you haven't. But yeah, that picture crying backstage, very real moments. Like I was back there sobbing. Um, but that was probably my favorite moment of the hectic months.

SPEAKER_00

Okay, good. Well, yeah, guys, we're back, you know. Be gentle with us. I know, give us a minute. I'll give us a still raising a child. Still raising a child. Uh-huh. Yes. Some an actual human, some a dog, but like still raising kids here. Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_01

So this week, we are actually gonna get into a really cool topic. Do you want to let us know what we're talking about?

SPEAKER_00

Okay, friends, twins. Basically, the topic of this episode is like, are we really friends? Or are we mutual followers?

SPEAKER_01

Exactly. I think in this age of social media, there's a lot of confusion. And I have I even have to catch myself sometimes because I'll be talking, and I'm like, oh yeah, my friend. And I'm like, wait a minute, I'm not friends with this person. I don't even know this person, or you know, I vaguely know this person. And I think there's a lot of confusion in that area. And I think it like is kind of transforming friendships and how we're looking at friendships, and people are just calling anyone friends, yeah, and that's just not the case, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

So we let's let's let's get into that. Um first things first, we're in our 30s, so we remember even growing up when pre-social media you had to write down your friends' phone numbers. Got them in a little notebook. Have them in a little note big, maybe their family was in the phone book, so you looked up, oh, this is Miss Smith, Miss Smith's number. Okay, I remember looking up people's names, numbers in the phone books. In the phone book, and then on top of that, you also did have the ability to just ride your bike, walk, or you know, maybe in high school drive to your friend's house. Um now you don't do that, you don't do that. Mind you, like I've had the same phone number since middle school. So I have a list of people that I have not talked to in over a decade, still in my phone. So technically we do still have each other's number, but we follow each other, but we not friends.

SPEAKER_01

Not friends at all. And I think there's this misconception, especially when you do follow people and you're keeping up with their lives. And I know with me and with you, like there's certain things that we post on social media that can make it seem like people know us and people know like the inside of what we're doing. And I just think it's funny because even if you post like a day in my life and it's a a minute long video, it's still a minute of your 24 hours. Yeah, but it just gives people this perception that they really know you or that they're keeping up with you. And I know for me, I am very selective about what I put online. I put a lot online, but there's a lot that I don't put online, yeah. Heavily so yeah, so there's just a lot of like misconceptions of people, and they're like, oh yeah, like we're friends, we're close.

SPEAKER_00

We're not. So have you had that recently? Especially now announcing, like, oh, I'm a foster mom, blah, blah, blah.

SPEAKER_01

And that's part of like part of the things that has kind of opened, shed light on like that misconception of friendship, because I've had people who will come in my DMs and like, oh, like asking me personal questions like about her. I've already said, like, no, like I'm not talking about that, but it's like people asking because they feel like we're friends on social media. I'm like, no, right, and I'm like, yeah, that's not really my story to share. Like, I will tell you if we're like acquaintances, like we're friends in real life, like I see you in real life.

SPEAKER_00

Okay, but you said acquaintances and then you said friends. So, like, there's a difference.

SPEAKER_01

There is a difference, but I will say, like, if we have a relationship in real life and we're like talking in real life, but like there's people online that I'm like, no, yeah, you know, yeah, so yeah, I have had that a little bit in that scenario, but also just about like things that I do post online. Like, I'll I I think in my whole what is it, like a year and a half relationship. I think I've posted like two or three things about him, but people think like, oh, we know so much about the relationship, and it's like you don't. That's just another example.

SPEAKER_00

That's fair. I mean, and for myself, I think I did post a lot of my personal life on the internet and everything, and for literally for the reason of like I had gone through a breakup a couple years ago, and for this reason I'm about to say, like, I was like, actually I'm good all that. It's because people felt the need to ask me about all these things, like, oh, what happened to you and so and so? Dang, oh okay, blah blah blah. And I was like, Oh, I don't necessarily like how they feel, not that I want to hide anybody, yeah. And you know, people, it's it's I'd be so conflicted because I'm like, dang, if I did share this, it's natural. You feel like they have a right to know? I don't think they have a right to know, but I do think it is natural to ask, and just how it's natural for you to ask me what happened to me and so-and-so, it's natural for me not to tell you and be like, oh, okay, I don't want to share that anymore. Yeah, yeah, it it's a fine line, and you have the people that are like, I'm not sharing anybody until you're married, and because yeah, and because I felt some type of way, because I'm like, oh, we don't text, we don't have check-in phone calls, I couldn't tell you anything personally about you outside of like your career, what you post on your stories as far as working out, going to get little drinks, and the same for me, like all you really are asking me about is this guy that I used to post photos with, and that's it. There's there's nothing else that we've really checked in on, so I'm not going to tell you what happened.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I think also there's the dynamic of actually having friends, like good friends in person, and then you start slowly moving to being a social media only friend. Yeah, I've experienced that too, where it's like people feel like they're checking up on you, or they feel like they don't feel the need, I will say, to check up on you because they see like you posting a story and they see you do this, and it's like, but you haven't actually talked to me. And that's kind of something I'm experiencing because it's like this doesn't constitute friendship because like you're replying to my story, or like you're saying this, like it's not um a replacement.

SPEAKER_00

But to some people, like that that is a relationship, like, oh, like we kiki in the comments, we kiki in the DMs here and there. But is it a friendship?

SPEAKER_01

No, not to me, you know, and I maybe because I'm more selective, but it's like you're not getting in the circle, like you might be, you might be at in line, but you're not getting in a club, you know what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_00

Also, it's okay to like not be in everybody's circle. Like, everybody doesn't need to be friends with everybody. We can all be cordial, we can all, you know, we're mutuals, we follow each other. Oh, I I wish this person well, they wish me well. Double tap, blah, blah, blah, little like the story, all the things, but like you don't have to be friends with everybody. You don't.

SPEAKER_01

So let me ask you this. What do you think about the idea of intentionally making people feel like they're close and feel like they're in your world? And that's what so many influencers are doing now. Influencers do do that, and I've heard them personally say, like, you're not, you don't actually know me, but it's like they are very strategic with like what they're posting to make it seem like, yeah, they know what they're doing, they bless you.

SPEAKER_00

They definitely know what they're doing because they'll set the phone up. Hey guys, so da-da-da-da-da. Yeah, I did that. No, sorry, that's a Coco Jones reference. Um but they'll set they'll set the phone up, be mad casual, be like almost to the point of like, come with me to get a mammogram. Like, I've seen some crazy, I've seen some crazy stuff, and like watching it, you do feel like, oh, oh, we're friends, this is FaceTime. Yeah, yeah. And like also maybe you always watch this person vlogs on YouTube, and again, they show you what they show you. So I do feel like they know what they they know what sells, they know what gets views, clicks, all the things, and they know that they do have to share an aspect of their life, and sometimes they're forcing it and like trying to portray it another way, and then on the flip side, when people, you know, start to maybe talk out at the side of their neck, like followers and viewers always do, then the influencers will buck back. Rightfully so, no one deserves disrespect.

SPEAKER_01

No, disrespect, yes, but rightfully so, it's difficult because it's like you put yourself out there to be friends and to be, you know, you've done that on purpose, and then you get mad because people ask you things like that. So you wanted the buck, you gonna buck back at the people?

SPEAKER_00

I've never bucked back at people, I've always been like, oh girl, it's a long story, and never tell a little story. Like, that's what I do.

SPEAKER_01

That's funny. I just don't think I respond to people. I'm good for leaving somebody on red. That's fair.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, that is fair. Now, what do you feel about like you ever you ever exchange socials with a guy that maybe is trying to pursue you and unfollow? And y'all just kind of stay in that limbal of okay, now he's just a story watcher, he just watching what I do. Maybe we went on one or two dates, but it fizzled off, ain't nothing really going on right there. And like, I yeah, okay, you tell me how you feel about that.

SPEAKER_01

I think that um you have to be careful with that because what is it called when people have this like relationship in their head with someone? Parasocial. Parasocial. Um, you have to be careful of that, especially with men, because first of all, it makes them feel like the effort is not needed. Like, I need you to step a step for me. Like, you know what I'm saying? Put in the effort. So, first of all, that's not gonna get you anywhere. Sorry. Lotto. Yes, that's not gonna get you anywhere, but I think it's dangerous because it makes people feel like they have this relationship with you. I mean, it just goes back to the friendship thing too. I don't like that, you know, and it also I'm real quick to follow on social and unfollow. Yeah, I also don't like to see people that I'm not interested in getting to know more.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I'm not interested in getting to know you anymore. Or like maybe we're just in the that like little phase, not even phase, but like we're just friendly with each other, but I don't like you like that no more, or I never liked you like that no more. Unfollow, remove as a follower, like bye. Oh, you can still follow me. Bye.

SPEAKER_01

No, I'm kidding.

unknown

I'm kidding.

SPEAKER_01

Okay, but let me ask you this which facade do you think is worse? The Beyoncé effect where you're just super mysterious and you're not saying anything, okay, or the influencer effect where you're making people feel like they know you, okay, but they don't.

SPEAKER_00

Are we are we regular people? Is it in this scenario? Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Um because I feel like we both go back and forth. We both go back and forth. You know, I'd be stepping off of social media.

SPEAKER_00

I'm gonna say, in hindsight, I prefer the Beyonce effect of just posting little photos and go. Mmm. And I because I I don't, and I'm not saying like again, we're not celebrities or nothing like that, but I just feel like it makes it this is if you're unprivate and like you know, anybody can look at your page. I just I do prefer the Beyonce effects. Like, and mind you, like Beyonce has given us a little bit more, so like she'll still do a little video, she'll still show you this, da-da-da-da-da. But you really just get the little photo slide a month or a week after the actual event. Okay, so as opposed to you get the photo slide and you still at the event, or you already given us the blog, or the behind the scenes, you already given us the behind the scenes, and it was just an hour ago. Yeah, live in the moment.

SPEAKER_01

I feel like maybe five, six years ago, the Beyonce effect is what gained people's attention. And there were all these Instagram baddies that never they never spoke on social media, they never said anything, they didn't have an opinion about anything, and they were just kind of like, here, here's my cute picture. You can figure out the rest. But now I feel like there's this I'm gonna tell you everything, I'm gonna overly post, overly share.

SPEAKER_00

Overshare.

SPEAKER_01

So it it's kind of weird because you see that kind of benefiting people and them getting brand deals and them getting like all of these followers, but it's like I don't know which one that I'm like.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, I'll tell you this. There's absolutely other ways to make money outside of just posting your life on social media. One you can get a job. You can get a job, you can get a job. Um two, again, like there'll be some days, yeah, post this little story, post this little story, boom. I can go like two weeks, three weeks without posting anything on my story. Like, I'm still taking my little photos and living my life, but like I'm not posting in real time or like the next day. I feel like you have to find a good balance of living your life without that damn phone. Sometimes it is the phone. Yeah, put the phone down. What is that thing that the kids, the kids, adults are doing these days where I think they literally lock their phone up? Yeah. Um, I've seen people do that for like a couple of days. Yes, yeah, yeah. And you you can still get it, you don't need GPS, you can still drive, get around, yeah, you know, walk, all the things like you don't really need your phone and need all those apps. I feel like you have to find a good balance because again, if you live in that bubble of I post, I post, I post, I post, then yeah, that is how you get, you know, your long lost friend from high school that you haven't talked to in over 15 years to a decade, like feeling like y'all are still friends. Yeah, true.

SPEAKER_01

But I will say, with me, I feel like I used to post a ton, used to do a lot. I have to force myself now, um, definitely with posting, but also just with talking and speaking on the camera, and I think that's also like you know, where I'm at in life. Yeah, I don't have my phone a lot of the times. Like people will message me or call me in the morning, especially in the morning. I'm in my own world, like I'm not even touching my phone until like the afternoon sometimes, and I prefer it that way. Yeah, but I do feel a sense of disconnection, I'm not gonna lie.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, now this not messy, but like have you ever like this is again, this is us regular people. Have you ever like known almost, so to speak, everything about somebody, and you're like, I'm definitely not this bitch's friend, and I know everything she got going on in her life. Hmm. Elaborate a little bit more, like you know what she had for dinner the last seven days, you know her boyfriend's name because she always posts the boyfriend, and oh, she got engaged. You know where she works because she posts that you know what her apartment looks like, and like what she typically likes to do um five to eight after work. Like, you know a lot about this girl, and you're like, dang, like I don't know.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. It's like somebody that you don't actually know.

SPEAKER_00

Yes.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, for sure, for sure. And I have a couple of people like that. I try to keep it to a minimum, like, especially who who I'm keeping up with. I call it like there's some people that I look at for inspiration with things, especially business-wise. But yeah, I have a lot of people like that that I'm like, baby girl, why do I know your whole breakup story? Yeah, I've never met you before in my life. So for sure, for sure. Um, and it's difficult, of course. I'm for sure people could say that about me, but it is what it is. But there are there's with me, there's definitely that line of like real true friendship, and then people in social media.

SPEAKER_00

So yeah, if you had to define true friendship, what does it look like?

SPEAKER_01

True friendship is somebody I can call you when I need you, I can call you when I'm crying. If I have happy news, like you're the first person I tell, we're just locked in with advice, like you know what is going on with me, especially with me. When I have a lot going on, I'm not on social media. Like when she's not posting a lot, you should probably be concerned. Yeah, and those are the people that I reach out to when I'm not posting, that would say those are my true friends. Yeah, and I will say I feel like there's it's it's one hand for sure.

SPEAKER_00

Um, so yeah. Do you be demoting friends in your head? Like, not like unfriending them in your mind, but being like, oh girl, like you're gonna have to, you're not no true friend no more. I know it sounds silly, but like I feel like we do do that.

SPEAKER_01

There's not really people that I demote, but there are people that I'm like, I probably don't need to be around you as much as I but they're technically still a friend, yeah, as much as I am. Yeah, that's right.

SPEAKER_00

I did that I definitely do think I have like little bubbles of a couple of people that I do consider friends, yeah. But I'm like, you're in this bubble of friends.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I feel like you have a lot of different friend or like associate groups, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Um, but then you have like your core, yes, yes, and that's why them birthday dinners be looking so eclectic. Is it the right table? No, I've been to a couple birthday dinners. I'm like, oh girl, like what niche am I in? Because I'm not I'm not necessarily sitting in with the majority of the two people, but I'm like, uh you're my friend, I love you, I'm gonna be here at this little birthday. Maybe them two people that were sitting over there, I said, is they are they part of the program? I've been to some very interesting birthday dinner. But that also kind of makes me feel better because I hate, I hate when I can look at a girl or a guy and I'm like, oh, you got the same type of genre of friends. Yeah, same friends. Everybody kind of dressed the same, look the same, talk the same, into the same things. It's it's giving no variety, it's given no variety, it's given no experiences in life. Like, I feel like you should have a different a good rainbow of friends. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

All right, guys, now we're gonna get into our audience applause, our listener letter. Remember, if you have a listener letter, you can email us at therehearsal period at gmail.com and you may be featured on the show.

SPEAKER_00

Hey, Asia and Shanice. I've been dating a guy for about three months, and overall things have been going really well. We talk every day, go on dates regularly, and he tells me how much he likes me. The problem is I feel that we're stuck in limbo. PTSD. When we're together, he acts like we're in a relationship. He introduces me to his friends, makes future plans, and checks in. Throughout the day, but anytime the conversation starts heading toward defining the relationship, he says he wants to keep getting to know each other and not to rush things. Part of me appreciates that he's being intentional. I don't want to force a commitment or rush into things that isn't right. But another part of me feels like after three months, you should have some idea whether you see potential with someone. I find myself wondering if he's genuinely taking his time or if he's enjoying all the benefits of a relationship without actually committing to one. How long is too long to stay in the rehearsal period? Okay, sis. At what point do you stop being patient and start protecting your time and emotions?

SPEAKER_01

Three months to me is around that time where the conversation should start. I don't feel like you should be frustrated that the conversations haven't gotten there in three months. Um I feel like that's around when things should get official.

SPEAKER_00

So I'm gonna say this is the sis that wrote in, but why are you already giving him the benefits of a relationship?

SPEAKER_01

Oh, clock that. Because then you wouldn't be getting frustrated if you would not.

SPEAKER_00

You would you would be like, Oh, okay, cool, he's cool. I'm cool, we care about each other, getting to know each other. Yeah, and you're still putting yourself out there for other people.

SPEAKER_01

And when she said he introduced me to his friends, I'm like, introduce you as what? You know, I would be curious to know that. I think that him making future plans or speaking about you guys in the future tense is a good sign, but at the same time, like it's only been three months.

SPEAKER_00

Like, you don't know this man. You don't know this man, he don't really know you like that.

SPEAKER_01

I think this is a time when you should just start evaluating, like, do I actually want to be with this person?

SPEAKER_00

And it's okay to fall back. I'm not saying go fall back. Yeah, I love a fallback. I'm not saying go something, I'm not saying like don't talk to him no more, end it, all the things, but like just fall back and pour into yourself. Pour into yourself, have your little regimen, your daily thing. Hang out with your I'm like, I'm sure you're not always hanging out with your girlfriends during the weekend.

SPEAKER_01

Probably not. Do that. Get some girlfriends.

SPEAKER_00

Get some girlfriends now. Obviously, don't get me wrong. We need some actionable steps to see, like, okay, we're not there yet. What do we need to do to figure out if we will be doing it? She didn't say how old she was. Yeah, she didn't say how old she was.

SPEAKER_01

But I guess that plays a factor into things too.

SPEAKER_00

But yeah, I just feel like maybe slow it down a little bit. Yeah, I I would I would slow down spending time with him. I would slow down my communication to him. Um, and you know, obviously he's not gonna be dumb, he'll pick it up a little bit. He could just be like, oh, like, you know, we're still getting to know each other.

SPEAKER_01

I just why I like a fallback because I'm like, are you gonna, you know, step up? Yes, and you'll see. And it's not like playing games, but yeah, I don't think that you should be at that point yet.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, because I think that posing the question is not wrong. Like, it's better to ask and get your answers. But he also should have provided, hey, like, I don't know if we're there yet to be in a full relationship, but this is what I'd like to get to know about you more, and like blah, blah, blah. Like, there can be more actionable steps on his end, especially if he wants to be a leader. Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_01

So let us know how that situation works out. Give us a little three months, six months.

SPEAKER_00

Have you been in that situation before? Yeah. I think we have. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

I've been in that situation for sure. Um, I think at three months, I don't think I was as like, what are we doing? What are we doing? Um, that's why I'm like, you know, you could be patient because take your time getting to know people. That's why love bombing happens. That's why like fast relationships happen because you are so anxious to get to that point that sometimes you start ignoring red flags. That's what makes slow it down.

SPEAKER_00

And then also on the flip side, situationships also do happen. Because it ain't nothing for a nigga to bring his situationship around his friends, like oh yeah, multiple. Like, yeah, like okay. It's my Friday girl. Y'all, like, one once I realized like being introduced to their friend and their family don't mean nothing, like sky's the limit. Sky's the limit. Because like in hindsight, like we as girls don't always move that way, so it's like a big step. But for some men, not a big that ain't nothing. That's just a normal Wednesday. Exactly. Not even a Friday, not even not even a Friday. It's like, oh, this is the flavor of stuff around here. Here she goes. Yeah. A month later, yeah. This is this is Sabrina. Oh, okay, somebody else. Oh, guys will actually they will bring you around their mom, and their mom will know that another girl was in their face just two weeks prior. Exactly. Can't trust them. The family be in on it. The family be in to be like, oh, that's Devontae. That's how he rolled. Like, okay. Not Devontae. Devante. And Devonta is always gonna have a new girl around his family every two months. We love that.

SPEAKER_01

All right, let us know how that situation works out. Let us know an update. At least, yeah, send us a DM or something. Yes.

SPEAKER_00

But anyway, I think we're done. I think we're done. We'll be will be back next week. Okay, don't wait, no promises. No, stop. We'll be back next week.

SPEAKER_01

Okay, we're gonna be more consistent. Yes, absolutely. All right, guys, thank you so much. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe. Turn your post notifications on so that you're notified every time we drop a new episode.

SPEAKER_00

Let the people know where you guys can follow us anywhere and everywhere at the rehearsal period. You can also get into her business, Divine Dance, ATL ATL. Her personal page is Asia Carp. My personal page is Shanish J. My business is the work lab, not an O and E. Yes.

SPEAKER_01

And we love you guys. Hope you have a great day and a fantastic week. We will see you next time. Bye, friends. Bye.