Feeling Left Out at Brunch? What It’s Like Navigating Friendships as a Child-Free Woman in North Carolina
Have you ever sat at brunch with people you love… and still felt completely alone?
If you’re a child-free woman in North Carolina, this feeling might be all too familiar, especially when friendships start to center more and more around parenting. You want to be part of the conversation, but you feel like an outsider in your own life. You're not imagining it. And you're definitely not alone.
In this post, I want to talk openly about the quiet grief and clarity that can come with choosing a child-free life, and how we can build spaces that feel more inclusive, curious, and connected. Whether you’ve always known you didn’t want kids, you’re still exploring, or you simply feel like the odd one out lately, I hope this gives you permission to feel seen in your own story.
When the Conversation Leaves You Out
Years ago, I found myself at lunch with two close friends. One had just had her first baby, and the other was actively trying to conceive. For two straight hours, the conversation stayed in the world of newborns, from feeding schedules to diaper blowouts.
I tried to smile, nod, and offer something. But I had nothing to add. Eventually, I picked up my phone and quietly checked out. I felt invisible. And that wasn’t the first time.
The truth is that lunch didn’t make me second-guess my choice…it solidified it. What it really showed me was how lonely this path can feel.
Being Child-Free Isn’t Just a “Phase”…It’s a Valid Life Path
For a long time, I suspected I wouldn’t become a parent. I’ve never felt a strong maternal pull. I deeply admire parenting, especially after watching my own parents do it with so much care…and that’s exactly why I knew: if I was ever going to take on that role, I’d need to be absolutely sure. And I never was.
I want to say this clearly:
Choosing not to have children doesn’t mean you’re immature, selfish, or missing out.
It means you’re being honest with yourself and honoring your truth, even when it’s not the most celebrated one in the room.
The Quiet Ways Child-Free Women Are Made to Feel “Other”
It’s not always overt, but the messaging is there:
The well-meaning “You’ll change your mind” comments
The awkward silence when you say you don’t want kids
The pitying glances at brunch
The friend who stops inviting you once her world revolves around mom groups
The assumption that something must be wrong if you’re not actively trying
And for so many women, especially those in their 30s and 40s, this creates an invisible layer of isolation that’s hard to talk about, even with close friends.
Why I’m Creating Space for the Child-Free Experience
As a licensed therapist based in North Carolina, I specialize in supporting ambitious, child-free women who want to live with clarity and confidence — even when the world doesn’t fully understand their choices.
Through my private practice and my writing, I’m creating space for honest conversations about what it’s really like to be child-free in a world that still centers motherhood. That includes…
Navigating friendships that feel different
Releasing guilt about not “contributing” to family lines
Dealing with FOMO, identity shifts, and cultural pressure
Finding purpose outside of parenting
Celebrating the freedom and intention that come with your choice
If You’ve Ever Felt This Way… You’re Not Alone
If you’ve ever:
Felt left out at a baby shower
Had someone joke about your “biological clock”
Been told you’ll never know true love until you have a child
Wondered if your friendships will survive as more friends become moms
Felt the sting of a conversation that excluded your entire way of life...
…I want you to know that your feelings are valid. And your life is not less meaningful, rich, or beautiful because you’ve chosen a different path.
For the Moms Reading This…You’re Welcome Here, Too!
This isn’t about division. It’s about connection. You might be a mom who’s curious, who has friends without children, or who just wants to understand a different perspective.
I welcome you here.
Just like motherhood deserves space, so does the decision to remain child-free. These can co-exist in our friendships, our families, and our communities when we lead with respect and curiosity instead of judgment.
The Vision Moving Forward — A Place Where You Belong
My hope is to create a digital and therapeutic space that affirms this truth:
You don’t need a child to be whole. You don’t need a traditional path to be valid.
If you’re a child-free woman in North Carolina or Florida and you’ve been longing for a space where your choices are understood, not questioned, I’d love to work with you.
Together, we can help you build the confidence to live unapologetically, and surround yourself with people who see your life as complete, just as it is.
Book a Free Therapy Consultation in North Carolina or Florida
I offer virtual therapy for ambitious women navigating life transitions, perfectionism, and identity questions, including those choosing to live child-free. If you’re ready to feel more grounded, clear, and at peace with your decisions, I’d love to support you.