Has anyone else grown apart from friends/family in the last 18 months?

[Highfive2021]

So many people who we would see regularly before we’ve just not heard from, I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat?

Yes , I feel guilty at times but I have much less money for socialising and spare time is spent concentrating on my business that's taken a huge hit
Coupled with the faff of bookings, masks , etc I just can't be bothered
I like my own company too but starting to worry I'll become a hermit!

Yes, some friends we knew well have really retreated. We have attempted a few times with different things but they don’t want to know. No falling out or anything we can think of they just seem different.

Yes... For some am sure it's not personal and thry are just busy or wary of going out. Others I think I need to accept I was just a convient acquaintance and not the friend I thought I was

Yes a few people have just completely dropped off the radar and I've sort of given up trying. Others have surprised me and kept in touch when I didn't expect them to.

Yes. I thinks Covid ( well lockdown) has really shone a light on friendships and relationships. If they were shallow or if the other person just wasn’t that bothered, they have faded.

For me, realising that actually I have not missed my toxic parents has really changed things. Other people talking about how they can’t wait to hug their families has brought it home how different to that we are.

Yep a couple we are friends with have really pulled away from us. Normally we’ve had bbq’s and days out together and we’ve seen them once this year with us doing the inviting.

No. If anything I have 'seen' more of them through regular Zoom chats, WhatsApp and phone calls. I know it not the same as meeting up in person but sometimes it's all you need to touch base.

Yes, I’ve pulled away from some people. I’ve realised I used to spend time with people because it’s expected rather than because I actually want to and enjoy their company. I’m sure they feel the same too

Yes both my and DHs parents are still refusing to see us despite everyone being doubled vaccinated. We last saw them in December 2019 and they have only met our 20 month old once. It makes me very sad and no idea when they will feel it is safe enough to see us again.

I've purposefully done this I think, I have always been too polite and would socialise just for the fear of offending people and I struggle to say no, fact of the matter is I like being at home more I like being with my DH so I think I've streamlined.

I suspect I am the vanished friend. However, (along with everyone else) I've been busy keeping my head above water and factoring in other people has not been my priority. If I am feeling up to it after the summer, I will be ok touch with some. If they choose to have the arse about it, that's fine.

Sadly, I think that has happened for me, I don’t feel I have many friends at all now. The one that has been most upsetting is a couple I have been friends with for over 30 years, the wife’s DM died of COVID last year and although we would normally see each other 2-3 times a year they will respond to texts etc but ignore invitations to meet up. Maybe they are very anxious about COVID but it makes me very sad.

Local friends mainly work in education and I think have retreated from social contact due to worries about bursting bubbles or they have vulnerable family members. All my social activities have moved online and I don’t cope well cwith Zoom.

I am not sure that there is a way back, my only social contact has been walking my dogs and I have had an operation on my foot and can’t do that either at the moment.

Family are a distance away and we have seen very little of each other, but we hope to move nearer next year so I am hoping that will improve things.

I think it's highlighted who is most important to you.

I've a couple of casual acquaintances with whom friendship has really blossomed, and a couple of longstanding friends who no longer respond.

It's been surprising, it's been hurtful, but it is what it is. You can't force someone to be your friend.

Yes, coming out of lockdown made me realise there were people I really wanted to see again and make time for, and people I just saw as a habit but hadn't missed not being able to see. I think I've made more effort with family, realising life is fragile and we're lucky to be able to see our parents a lot so we should make the most of it.

Yes but never been awful close with some family really. My friends apart from one or two have all dropped off the radar. In my opinion there are a few reasons for this, some folk are scared, some folk have vulnerable family members and they don't want to pass anything on. Some folks have work that has been difficult to do/ business to run/working from home. Like myself some are perhaps happier as they were always a bit of a loner. There are also people who in the main are keeping their heads down and getting on with things. This pandemic has changed us all and life in general. Ive had a few friends who I used to meet fairly regularly. Ive heard from one in that group. Everything has changed. However, Im not as bothered about going out as I used to be. As for holidays abroad, nah. I do feel for those with family and friends overseas though.

I meant happier not to be going out as much, just for clarification.

Yes,definitely lost contact with some friends and family. I am an anxious person anyway and it’s made my anxiety so much worse.

Yes, have become closer to my cousins and drifted from friends, especially some previously very close but at a geographical distance who I've realised I've had an imbalance when it comes to support. It's definitely shone a light.

Me. Been depressed.

Become much closer to some, fell apart from others and really got more support and friendliness than I was expecting from work colleagues (front line), we've pulled together and been there for each other more than I expected.

We’ve seen less of some friends, especially those living more distantly. But these are very longstanding friendships and I feel sure they’ll be resurrected once outside pressures are lessened ( several are doctors with young kids). However, other friendships with friends more locally have blossomed and we’ve enjoyed some great times. I’m on holiday in my home county at the moment and have enjoyed meeting ( outside) with lots of friends and extended family. I do, however, feel our relationship with my parents has changed somewhat. My children have lost the closeness that had with them, which feels terribly sad.

Yes, we speak less and less to my mum. She lives abroad and we haven't seen her since August 2019. She won't visit this year despite us all being double vaccinated. Not sure what she is waiting for. She is really missing out on seeing my children growing up. Very sad really.