re: COVID and the death of friendship

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As you get older, your circle shrinks but becomes stronger.

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Definitely what I've experienced.

OP, I also think that people are just different. I see a group of 4-6 friends out on the town, and I wonder how anyone could do that. I don't get it. I'm sure those same people might see me alone all day, wandering around solo, and think similar thoughts.

Maybe COVID prompted them to reevaluate their actions. They could have been on autopilot, attending get together because "that's just what you do" and when they stopped they found themselves much happier.

It’s just that humans are social creatures. We’ve heard this our entire lives. It’s not opinion based. It’s empirical evidence of years of research.

I’ve spoken with a number of mental health professionals about this and they reinforced the importance of extroverts and introverts to socialize and get out of your house. It can be a number of activities, day time or night.

Parents were so concerned about their children during Covid and the effects of Covid impeding their social development, and rightfully so. Because all humans regardless of age are social beings.

One can be an absolutely amazing mom or dad and still want time to go fishing or whatever hobby they are into with a good friend, go to lunch or dinner with a friend, etc.

have not...in fact COVID made our friend group closer. All we did was have each other over as what else were we doing?? Also, it's beyond sad that they won't schedule parties for their own kids.

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It’s just that humans are social creatures. We’ve heard this our entire lives. It’s not opinion based. It’s empirical evidence of years of research.

I’ve spoken with a number of mental health professionals about this and they reinforced the importance of extroverts and introverts to socialize and get out of your house. It can be a number of activities, day time or night.

Parents were so concerned about their children during Covid and the effects of Covid impeding their social development, and rightfully so. Because all humans regardless of age are social beings.

One can be an absolutely amazing mom or dad and still want time to go fishing or whatever hobby they are into with a good friend, go to lunch or dinner with a friend, etc.

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I'm not disagreeing with this, just that it's a bell curve like anything else. I need less socialization than most of my family. I need more socialization than my most introverted friend.

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One can be an absolutely amazing mom or dad and still want time to go fishing or whatever hobby they are into with a good friend, go to lunch or dinner with a friend, etc.

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I don't see where anyone in here is saying the opposite. I think the opposite can also be true, where socialization is not a cut and dry activity. I love socialization. I love going into a busy area and fading into the background without talking to anyone. It's fantastic. The idea of doing something with somebody for the sake of socialization, to me, is a nightmare. Maybe some of OPs friends realized that as well and COVID was just the catalyst.

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that is extremely strange of you

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I've come to terms with it.

I've been in a group of multiple people. It's hard to talk to anyone else without someone else chiming in. You talk to someone about something you see as moderately serious and then someone interrupts with an (unfunny) joke.

I like to hang out with people one on one.

That sucks, but you're probably better off in the long run.

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have children, and I no longer have anything in common with those who don’t. That’s a little extreme.

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It’s a fact. I’m fascinated by my children-especially when they were babies. Everything was interesting-first crawl, walk, words. I’m not so much of an arse that I assume that everyone is as fascinated by them. Likewise, I don’t really care about what meaningless relationship the people I socialized in college are in now. Our interests have changed, and it’s ok. We find ourselves with little to discuss. Nobody is wrong, but it’s just reality.

I've lost a few friends through this COVID crap. Almost lost my best friend of 35 years due to (his) political views involving COVID, Fauci, masks, lockdowns. A few long time friends of 30+ years unfriended me on social media and just completely cut me out of their lives otherwise as well. We won't talk about how literally all of my criticisms and things I questioned or said that pissed them off turned out to be correct... but I hate what the government, politicians, the media and corporations have done to us over the last three years.

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have friends that did this and looking back it seems Covid was the excuse for them to finally not have to be social anymore. Now they’re homebody’s and keep to themselves mostly. Only time I see them is when I make the effort and I have to go to their house because they ain’t leaving.

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This is the right answer

Some people just aren't good at life, by people i mean families