The Company We Keep: Friendship, Connection, and Redefining What It Means to Grow Together

“In a time of increasing loneliness, this book provides a steady guide, teaching us how to foster closeness, show up intentionally, and genuinely care for the people in our lives."—Nedra Glover Tawwab, author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace

From New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Elle comes a vulnerable exploration of the friendships that shape us, stretch us, and sometimes wound us. With her trademark wisdom and storytelling, Alex invites us not only to celebrate but to examine the relationships in our lives, from the ones that matter most to those we should re-evaluate.

This book offers hard-won wisdom on:

• Recognizing when people-pleasing and self-silencing have become a pattern.

• Understanding that honesty—while sometimes painful—is a bridge to real intimacy or necessary endings.

• Letting go of the belief that we earn love by shrinking ourselves.

• Honor the sacred friendships that restore and heal us.

The Company We Keep offers readers permission to evolve in their friendships and reminds us that the people we surround ourselves with are not only mirrors, but key companions on the lifelong journey of healing, self-trust, and belonging. Alex shares her unflinching journey of learning to stop abandoning herself in the name of loyalty, to take ownership of the energy she brought into relationships, and to tell the truth—even when it cost her comfort. The Company We Keep is not just about cultivating our most meaningful friendships—it’s about becoming a better friend to ourselves first.

Alexandra Elle is a New York Times bestselling author, certified Breathwork coach, and restorative writing teacher. In her work, Alex aims to build community and healing practices through language. She is the author of several books and journals, including, most recently, How We Heal and After the Rain. She has been featured by prominent media outlets such as The New York Times, NPR, Good Morning America, ABC News, Essence, The Cut, MindBodyGreen, BET, and Forbes, among others. Alex teaches workshops, courses, and retreats to assist others in finding their voices and create clarity in their lives and relationships. She lives in Maryland with her family.