Does anyone sometimes miss having close friendships?

[Annieareyouokareyouokannieannieareyouok]

I have several friends that I'd see a few times a year, and occasionally text but after a couple of messages they don't reply.
I know we're meant to not have any expectations from friends, everyone's got their own lives and family, people are busy, you aren't their priority etc. etc. And yes I get that.
I think it's different when you're single as I am, because you do sometimes miss that emotional connection and closeness.
I have colleagues that I see and chat to every day but I'm not sure how many of them would actually consider me a friend. I've definitely had it in previous jobs where I felt we clicked, but then when I tried to stay in touch after leaving it was like I didn't exist.
I had a close male friend but sadly I distanced myself for a bit as I had feelings but we couldn't be together :( we're friendly still but it's not the same.
I don't know what the solution is sadly, it's just a bit lonely at times. Anyone else?

Yes.
But I am guilty of being stuck in a rut and climbing into my pj’s early and getting comfy in bed with iPad/book/tv and not bothering with doing much, I work with the public and it’s exhausting. My husband has died so I really am missing emotional closeness now, young adult DC have their own lives, even though they are mostly living here.
I am trying harder to engage and not cut myself off, I have this week met up with an old friend, and have made arrangements to meet other friends in a couple of weeks.
What age are you?
is there a ladies circle in your area? They meet up to age 45 then it’s tangent and then there is a Agora ladies group, but I’m not sure if they are all over. Maybe meeting some new friends at a regular meet up will help?

Why not make some new friends if, as I assume, the ones you see only a few times a year live at a distance? I’ve moved around a lot, and have had to be pro-active about looking around for kindred spirits in a new place.

Is one of the problems that you’re trying to continue friendships that were purely situational (eg workplace)? Obviously sometimes those do develop into lasting friendships, but I think friendships where you have actually sought one another out are less liable to peter out like that.

I also have lots of expectations from my friends — the thing is to choose people with similar expectations. I have a demanding FT job and a family, but I’m still invested in my friendships, and don’t recognise the ‘retreat inside my Own Little Family’ mode I often see referred to as a norm on here. Some of my closest friends are single and without children in their 50s. I’m not a different species.

OP is your username a reference to Resusci Annie?? 😃

A number of my close friendships have ended in the last 10 years. Several moved away and one very close friend of 35 years just cut me off without explanation.

I know/am friendly with lots of people but I'm not managing to make close connections. I'm introverted and groups, parties etc can make me feel more isolated.

Menopause isn't helping, I've lost a lot of confidence and I'm paranoid about being unlikeable.

I introduced two of my friends and they really hit it off, spent all their free time with each other and then would tell me in detail about what a great time they'd had together, which rightly or wrongly really hurt my feelings.

So yes, I do feel lonely and I do miss closeness with friends! DH and I are close but since covid he spends so much time wfh I need a break from him sometimes.