This underscores how a culture of familial support can nurture closeness between siblings. But not all sister relationships are harmonious. Sharon, a 47-year-old mum of two based in West Yorkshire, juggles running two businesses. She and her younger sister no longer speak. Despite the unpleasantness of their final argument, Sharon views it as a necessary clean break, ultimately beneficial for both of them.

Their estrangement stems from a combination of factors. Sharon leaving home at 18 and each living very different lives created a distance between them. She explains they have “nothing else at all in common” and if they weren’t related, they wouldn’t be friends. This lack of connection was further strained by a disastrous attempt at a joint business venture. Sharon describes it as a “lifelong pot brewing, waiting to explode”, revealing long-standing issues. Their communication styles also clashed, with Sharon admitting to a “sharp tongue” that prioritises truth over what people want to hear.

Content marketer Pearl has a unique perspective, having had two starkly different relationships with her sisters: one older, one younger. During their childhood, Pearl was closer to the sister 10 years her senior. However, as they grew up, their lives took them in different directions. Pearl chose a life of travel, and was often on the move, while her sister settled into a more traditional life.

“I love her, of course, but from a distance”: do you have to be best friends with your sister?