I really appreciate this article: Friends of a Certain Age: Why Is It Hard to Make Friends Over 30?
It matches my experience. I had several "best friends," but these days it's more difficult. I have many acquaintances, but I no longer have people in my life that I have a tight bond with.
I found this article very interesting because I feel like my approach to finding friends these days falls into both categories:
ReplyDeleteI'm still in my 20s, and am uber social, and I meet new people all the time. In 2012 I've gained what I would consider 2-3 Best Friends - people I've added to my inner circle, and feel a lasting connection with. I've met plenty of other people (I've added 84 FB friends this year), but feel THE CONNECTION with these folks that I really search for.
And over the last few years I've removed the drama-llamas and tools from my circle, and won't even consider their types for new friends - I'm polite, but wouldn't hang out with them again on my own. I would think that as I get older, if my social method doesn't change (being super social, organizing events, attending events with the high chance of meeting new people), I will continue to gain new friends, even best friends, occasionally, though I believe my core group will change much less than my larger social circle.
I worry that my social method and needs WILL change, as marriage and children come in the picture - for myself, and for my besties. I'm a little concerned, but also excited to see how my friend circle locks down as those milestones come to pass.