Friendship Q. Does this happen to anyone else?

[PinkZebrra]

Over the years I’ve had various jobs and made good friends there. That is, until one of us leaves the role moving on somewhere else. I then find the friendship dwindles, Christmas cards get forgotten to be sent and then nothing, no text messages, birthday text messages, etc.

Am I being too sensitive perhaps? I like to keep in touch with friends but they don’t seem so bothered about me ☹️

It can hurt, but I also think it happening is somewhat normal.

You know the rhyme "Friends for a reason, friends for a season"
Some friends can be really good friends, but the friendship only last for a season or for a reason - like a job/a class/a club, etc.

I also like to keep in touch with people!

I think if you want the friendship to last longer you/they have to really work for it, be energetic about keeping in touch, and also try to meet up IRL and make new memories.

But sometimes friendships dwindle, and there is nothing to do about it.
One can still think back about those friends fondly.

I'm speaking for myself really but I realised recently that some of my past work relationships (and other relationships) were more like close acquaintances than friends. Close because we spent a lot of time together but naturally they didn't continue after I left the role. I feel like these kinds of relationships almost took the place of friendships for me and filled a social need but I'm also sad they haven't lasted.

The people you work with are your colleagues not your friends. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they're friendly , but there is a difference between being friendly and being a friend.

How about making two or three friends outside of work. That way, it won't make any difference to them or you where you work.

What about friends from outside work? I think it's quite common to lose touch with colleagues when you no longer work together.

I think a colleague can become a friend for life, even after one of you has quit the job, but it doesn't always happen.

Op I kind of able to associate how you feel. But people at work are colleagues we meet because of work. It s the same with class mates in a course or a holiday trip. May have more success to make friends if you do something outside work that is based on something you passionate about where you would meet others regularly and relax to just share things that you all have in common e.g. a hobby or a charity work.