Such a good question. I’ve moved quite a bit, lived in different countries and have friends from university and travels all over the world. I know many people but only consider a handful my true closest friends. I’m happy that way. And I still try meet new people wherever I live. Sometimes closer bonds form in addition to older ones slowly fainting away.
Yes, so true about adult friendships! I too have lived in many different countries and maybe I feel like I don't have "enough" close friendships because I keep moving (lol). I love that you're putting an effort into meeting new people :)
Hello! I’m so glad I stumbled about this piece, Sarah.
This is a question that, for some reason, isn’t really talked about enough, like there’s some sort of stigma about it.
I’m not sure if it’s because of my introverted tendencies, but I see most of my friends in a one-to-one or small group setting, all of us going through our own stages of life in staggered ways (and we observe our friends doing it and vice versa) and I’ve been wondering if I’m missing a community aspect of it all where a group of friends are doing the same thing at the same time. I do think about this quite a lot, but voice it out much less often. Thank you for your essay, which speaks directly to these deep-seated thoughts of mine :)
That’s an interesting one, and honestly, I think the definition of ‘community’ needs a bit of a refresh. I used to think I needed all my friends to know each other and hang out (mostly) at the same time, but there is incredible value in one-on-one or smaller, intimate settings. At the end of the day, it’s what is most nourishing and satisfying to you and your friends.
I think we know when something's missing, and what that unusually means is we have to become hyper aware of what we do have through gratitude. Then, we have to decide to what's our plan of action.
I liked that you went out there and tried new things, the mom's group, the book club, getting to know folks at conferences. It demonstrates EFFORT and sometimes that's the best we can do. And you're absolutely right, different relationships show up at different times in our lives, and I feel by accepting this, it makes our lives easier!
Thank you for that. I think I was so focused that I didnt' have "enough" friends in my local area that I didn't even stop to think that I was putting in the effort. You're right, it is the best we can all do. Thank you for stopping by!
Such a good question. I’ve moved quite a bit, lived in different countries and have friends from university and travels all over the world. I know many people but only consider a handful my true closest friends. I’m happy that way. And I still try meet new people wherever I live. Sometimes closer bonds form in addition to older ones slowly fainting away.
Adult friendships are an art in itself I feel.
Yes, so true about adult friendships! I too have lived in many different countries and maybe I feel like I don't have "enough" close friendships because I keep moving (lol). I love that you're putting an effort into meeting new people :)
Hello! I’m so glad I stumbled about this piece, Sarah.
This is a question that, for some reason, isn’t really talked about enough, like there’s some sort of stigma about it.
I’m not sure if it’s because of my introverted tendencies, but I see most of my friends in a one-to-one or small group setting, all of us going through our own stages of life in staggered ways (and we observe our friends doing it and vice versa) and I’ve been wondering if I’m missing a community aspect of it all where a group of friends are doing the same thing at the same time. I do think about this quite a lot, but voice it out much less often. Thank you for your essay, which speaks directly to these deep-seated thoughts of mine :)
That’s an interesting one, and honestly, I think the definition of ‘community’ needs a bit of a refresh. I used to think I needed all my friends to know each other and hang out (mostly) at the same time, but there is incredible value in one-on-one or smaller, intimate settings. At the end of the day, it’s what is most nourishing and satisfying to you and your friends.
I think we know when something's missing, and what that unusually means is we have to become hyper aware of what we do have through gratitude. Then, we have to decide to what's our plan of action.
I liked that you went out there and tried new things, the mom's group, the book club, getting to know folks at conferences. It demonstrates EFFORT and sometimes that's the best we can do. And you're absolutely right, different relationships show up at different times in our lives, and I feel by accepting this, it makes our lives easier!
Thank you for that. I think I was so focused that I didnt' have "enough" friends in my local area that I didn't even stop to think that I was putting in the effort. You're right, it is the best we can all do. Thank you for stopping by!