Long friendship but very different lives- me, 2 DCs now grown up, always worked- full time then part time - as a 'professional' but not a high earner, and DH the same. Friend, met her at work when we were both single, but she hasn't worked now for over 15 years as her DH earns a lot- possibly 7 figures. No DCs. We also live an hour apart so one of us has to make the effort and on balance it's been me.
We still have a 'connection' when we meet, but her lifestyle now I feel excludes me in albeit very trivial ways but they all add up.
eg. She can buy anything she wants for herself and her home, and does. From being a working single girl when we met she now spends her time on 'maintenance'- massages, manicures, hair, going to places with her wealthy neighbours, and she's just bought a 2nd home overseas worth more than our house.
Please, please don't think I'm jealous- yes of course that kind of money would be nice, but we are so far from ever having that, that it's not a consideration. I just feel her wealth has distanced us. eg She buys 3 handbags for £1K each, and although she doesn't flaunt them at all, I feel a bit of an idiot then saying 'oh do you like my bag- it cost £150'- and obviously she won't like to otherwise she'd have bought it herself! The same goes for clothes- relatively we aren't poor-and I can easily spend £80 on a jumper etc- which I know is way too much for lots of people . But she'll pop out and buy 3 for £150 each, and all her clothes now are top designer brands.
It's not a case of competing, but I just don't feel we are on the same planet any more. Does this make sense?