At every stage, we're trying to figure out how to navigate friendship,” she says. Research tells us that, for both men and women, the age of 25 is when most of us start losing friends. “Suddenly, your friends disappear, or you all start taking new life directions as you graduate from college,” Jackson says.
Research shows friend groups shrink after age 25. Here's how to keep making new friends even as you get older.
According to “The Friendship Report,” a global study commissioned by Snapchat in 2019, the average age at which we meet our best friends is 21—a stage when we're not only bonding over formative new experiences such as first love and first heartbreak, but also growing more discerning about whom we befriend.
Proximity is the first to go.
As adulthood takes over, you become more focused on your career and family. You move to a different city for work or a better school district for your kids. You leave your friends behind to focus on your new priorities. Healthy social networks require attention.
– Have you ever thought that it is hard to make new friends? Well, you're not alone. According to a study from Oxford University, men and women start losing friends around the age of 25. Making new friends and maintaining friendships gets harder each year we get older.
Lack of time. When we're in our 40s or older, we often have little time to meet others. You might have a long list of responsibilities such as work, raising children or teenagers, and spending time with partners and family members. Even if you still have the energy to meet new people, other people your age might not.
People become more focused on certain connections and strive to retain them. As we grow older, we become busier at work and, for some, at raising a family. This cuts down on the amount of time we have to socialize.
A lot of people who are entering their 30s and 40s confess that they tend to lose friends and alienate people around this time. Take a look at some of the reasons why this may be happening to you. As we grow up, most of us associate our best childhood memories with our friends and classmates.
Social networks tend to follow predictable cycles throughout a person's life, expanding in the 20s and shrinking in the 30s and beyond, a notion borne out by social-science research and popular trend pieces alike.
While 150 is the average number within a population, there's a fair amount of variability between individuals, reflecting personality and age. You tend to have more friends when you're younger—between 200 and 250—and you whittle them down to 150 in your 30s.
Research tells us that, for both men and women, the age of 25 is when most of us start losing friends. “Suddenly, your friends disappear, or you all start taking new life directions as you graduate from college,” Jackson says.
Many people enjoy making new connections as they get older. Whether they are looking for a companion, a friend, a new love or just someone to enjoy a hobby with, it's never too late to make new friends.
While it is sad to think about losing friends as we get older, losing friends in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s is perfectly normal. In fact, it's even regarded as healthy and shows that you're maturing. So when does this friend drop-off point occur? Studies show that we begin to lose friends in our mid-twenties.
It's also normal to wonder why or how it happened. But know that losing friends in your twenties is normal. It happens to everyone (or at least almost everyone) and there are some natural, common reasons as to why it happens.
It's possible! Social connections do make life more satisfying, but it doesn't take friendships to lead a happy life. Learn how to be happy without friends by building self-love, keeping your calendar full of positive activities, and strengthening your relationships with other people in your life.
"Love can happen at any age. Don't pressure yourself so much, and don't allow singleness to make you believe that there's something wrong with you." Moyo adds, "You're not late. There's no rule book that says dating has to start and end at a certain age.
It may sound counterintuitive, but Robinson suggests that one of the most effective ways to fight loneliness is to spend more time with yourself, and to embrace that inner connection — instead of seeing yourself as disconnected from others. “Engage in activities that help you get to know yourself,” he urges.
In general, based on 2021 survey data, the average person in America has between 3 and 5 close friends. According to this survey: almost half (49%) report having 3 or fewer close friends. over one-third (36%) report having between 4 and 9 close friends.
It's just your personality and social preference at the moment. There may not be a deeper reason why you quickly lose interest in people. Maybe you're in a busy phase in your life, and new friendships aren't your priority. Maybe you're younger and your mind is more fickle than it will eventually be.
Experts suggest seeing your friends at least once a week, if not more! Having good friends not only increases life expectancy but it also reduces stress and depression and can have a good influence on your health too.
Why Is it Actually Hard to Make Friends in Adulthood? Research shows that the most common reason why people struggle to connect with others is due to a lack of trust. It's harder than ever for people to find friends that they can fully invest in emotionally and mentally.
In your 30s and 40s, a small, tight-knit group is optimal. Having three to five close friends allows for paired activities (tandem biking, charades), as well as intimate group outings (movie nights, wine tastings, group discount rates).