You've probably noticed that you have only some friends now than you did in your younger years. For instance, the friends in college are no longer around. In addition, your childhood friends are not available anymore. Don't worry – it's normal to lose friends as you get older. It happens for a variety of explanations, and it doesn't make you a bad friend. When you make friends with people based on immediacy, the friendship often changes or breaks down when you no longer see one another daily.
Maybe you've chosen to direct your energy into building a profession, and immediately find yourself working so many hours that socializing is no longer a primacy. Fortunately, losing friends isn't always a bad thing.
In fact, it can change your social life for the better.
GET RID OF TOXIC FRIENDS.
You may lose good friends as you get older, but you will also lose the toxic people who never made you feel supplemented or thrilled in their company. You know who they are – those "friends" who whine, complain, never help you out, and even gossip about you behind your back. There's no point in holding onto them. You'll feel better when they're out of your life.
NEW FRIENDS GIVE YOU A NEW STANDPOINT.
Meeting new people is granting a new view on life. When you make new friends, your interests and preferences might change – and that's a good thing. New friends can also present to other people, who in turn can expand your boundaries even more.
YOU CAN WORK ON YOURSELF MORE.
A common reason we tend to lose friends when we get older is a lack of time. When you are young and have relatively few obligations, it's easy to go out a few nights a week. However, once you enter the adult world and get a "real job," you must make some tough alternatives when it comes to your evenings and weekends. Specifically, you need to reach a balance between sustaining a beneficial social life and working on your own self-development. A smaller circle makes it simpler to make time for yourself, which in turn benefits your career, intimate relationships, and general happiness.
STOP SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME SOCIALIZING AND BUILD BETTER FRIENDSHIPS.
When you have fewer friends, you can put more effort into building important networks with those you see and talk to on a regular basis. When you are young, owning a large friendship group and feeling popular often seems essential. However, as you get older, you learn the value of having a few close friends that you can call on in times of need rather than a relaxed network of associates.
OLD FRIENDS STUCK IN THE PAST.
Old friends are to be cherished but hanging out with people you have known for many years can have you stuck in old patterns. For example, the college buddies you were hanging out with loved going to bars, and they all hold the same views when it comes to politics. That's okay– but they aren't expected to help you try new things. You might also observe that you fall back into a specific "position" when you are around certain people. For instance, if you were always the clown amongst your group of high school friends, you might spontaneously go back to this role when you're around them, even if you've outgrown that behavior.
The healthiest people manage to hold onto the bonds that nourish them, while forming new networks at the same time. Losing and obtaining friends is a natural part of life. If you feel that your friends don't reasonably fit your persona and daily life anymore, reach out and form some new relationships. Think of a hobby or interest you would like to pursue. Maybe you can join a class or groups. It takes courage to make new friends, but it can be done. If you miss some of your old friends, why not take a few minutes today to send them a message? Simply sending a short e-mail or a text message can be enough to revitalize a friendship. Just remember that they might feel as though they have outgrown the friendship. If so, don't take it personally. Instead, you should focus on moving forward and making new connections instead.
