To feel I don't need friends as much now?

[Springalingding]

Have a husband and two young kids, work from home have own business. I have various friends but literally only about two I seen on anything like a fortnightly or three weekly basis and that us only because we share the same faith. Friends to say hi to on the school run and old friends I see maybe twice a year.

Have just been thinking today that that's enough. I have everything I need! And it's okay to just see people sporadically here and there wirh big gaps in between.

I think the media push this idea of really intense female friendships and I've had those at various points of my life but at 48 I don't and may not have that sort of friendship again. And that is okay!!

AIBU?

I have a best friend who is practically like a sister to me, we see each other 6 x per year and text several times a week- she is my ride or die friend. Do you have a friend like this? They are the friendships you want to keep going above all others as they are there for you no matter what.

I am very grateful to have 3 other friends from various stages of my life who are reliable and thoughtful and again we message loads.

Day to day I do not need these friends but looking at my life as a whole I really do. They definitely give me that support and love which women do need outside of men and children.

It's personal choice of course but do try to maintain the relationships as much as possible for yourself in the long-term as we don't know what the future looks like. In the short-term they give us the chance to express ourselves and be more candid about other parts of our lives. To add, I don't have any toxic friends though which I feel MN is rife with at times.

It’s not creepy at all, I have two best friends who I see individually and having them in my life is totally life enhancing. Somebody you can talk to about anything, that never judges, you can go out with and do fun stuff or meet for a coffee to talk something over is amazing.

It's sounds very playground !

Also it's such an odd definition. Like it's a relationship status... the other person surely has to agree on the best friend thing to make it real. What if you consider someone you best friend but they do not? Can you really have multiple best friends (I hear this a lot).

It's so primary school and it is weird and unnecessarily complicated to put labels on friendships as adults.

Yeah, I'm 46 and feel similar. Friendships can be worthwhile and enriching but they can also be draining (for me). I am quite content with my own company but I do enjoy the company of my colleagues so perhaps that fulfils a need for me. I certainly couldn't be bothered with having to keep up with people on a weekly or whatever basis.

Friendships important. I prob had more friends through my kids and school things. Find people dont want hassle keeping in touch or as others say ages replying to texts. So it has work 2 ways a friendship. I joined a walking group it gets me out

I read your first post thinking "oh, another post from someone who doesn't want friends...how am I going to make new friends".

I see that isn't what you meant, but ironically I need to spend less time on MN as it's probably making me feel a bit hopeless about making new friends!

I don’t relate to this

Early forties
my close group of girlfriends are as ‘needed’ as they were at any abs every other point in my life.

To think otherwise would indicate friendships that aren’t close

EmmaH yes it was a do I just accept my lot and be happy or look for more thread but that's come out through the thread...not sure my op was that clear to begin with!!

I've always believed friends were important but have got stuck wirh a couple of friendships that are now twice a year events and have realised even though they are deep friendships I need more tfor where I am now, location and who I am now I suppose.

It sounds a bit as if you have the 'long term, deep connection but don't see very often' friends, but could do with adding to your weekly social life for getting out and about a bit more, at this stage in your life?

So maybe pick up your weekly or monthly social life and fill it up a bit with things you like doing, and you will, by default have more people you socialise with on a frequent basis. The odd one might become a deeper, more long term friend, most won't, but you will be chatting and laughing and socialising more.
Join something tht looks like fun to you - that might be an exercise group or craft or choir or drama or running club or book club or ramblers club or 'friends of X Park' type group or become a Guide or Scout Leader or volunteer at your local Hospice fundraising group or take up an evening class to learn something new. Whatever piques your interest.