Friends, do I have a small number?

[user1274939]

One I can rely on in a crisis.

Four I can chat to about anything and would happily be there for me by text and phone but probably not drive to be with me if that makes sense.

A couple more that I meet up with regularly but not as close/wouldn’t share everything.

I sometimes feel I have messed up. At 35 should I have more friends? I lost a few along the way when focusing on my career. I often feel lonely as there are times when none of the above are free to meet!

There’s probably not a normal number of friends to have, and quality is better than quantity. Anyone else feel like this?!

Quite right. Less is more.

Seems like the right number of good quality friends. If you want more I think the only way is to get out and do stuff you enjoy and meet like minded people. You sound like a nice person. It’s lucky you have some good quality relationships. Lots of people don’t.

I'm 24 and can count about three true friends that aren't also family members

I have just posted a similar thread in chat. I’m in a similar situation - 1 I could count on in a crisis, couple more who I’m not close to but meet every so often then a few more acquaintance types who I don’t socialise with outside of hobby/work. I’m a couple of years younger than you.

I’ve stsrted new clubs this year hoping to make new friends but I find it hard to get talking to people unless they’re brave and talk to me first!

Lucky you. I have mine at all

**none

Do you have a partner or family bossmum? All of my good friends live in other parts of the country. I’m pretty much alone where I live. I’m looking to move in the hope I’ll be closer to some of my good friends.

It's definitely the quality if the relationships not the quantity. Like these people who say they have 1000 friends....and facebook proves it lol

I would be very content with the friends you have, sounds perfect.

I have 3 friends I could call anytime, day or night. My best friend lives 70 miles away but would be in her car in a shot if I really needed her - she's coming tomorrow for New Years Dinner - and I'm really looking forward to seeing her!

There's also dh's best friend who is also a very good friend of mine - he lives in London but would be on the train to Glasgow in a heartbeat if we needed his help.

I maybe have another 5 friends I could call on to chat things over but I'd not call in the middle of the night.

And then a cloud of friends/acquaintances, some of whom I'd call for certain things but not for others.

I'm 31 and I've only got 2 friends one of which is my work colleague. I lost my friends along the way and find it so hard to make new ones

I have 5 fairly close friends who could discuss things with and a few others occasional catch up messages. Not met anyone where we have moved to but that's me hibernating and can't be bothered. Have been invited to party here but can't go as son's birthday. Feel fine with that most of time, only if I am feeling sad feels not enough but that passes quickly. People who have lots, can be more just party type friends.

I have zero friends I could call in a crisis. I am always called by my sister but if I need anything she suddenly disappears.

I don't even have any friends I can phone to be honest. A few I would WA or FB message for support, but none for anything instant or could really talk to. In plenty of FB and WA groups if I want to chat to people in those.

I am 50, didn't go to uni and move jobs a lot. Single, no kids. I'm in some local meet up groups, easy enough to chat to people but looks very unlikely I'll make very close friendships really. Most people already have enough friends I think.

Friends are hard to find and I find the older I get it’s difficult to make new ones. I have lost many friends over the years due to different lifestyles. It doesn’t normally bother me but holidays can be hard. There is no one I could call or text at short notice to help me out.

I have about five close friends and we can all call on each other, even if we go months without talking.

My ex has literally hundreds of social media 'friends' he used to consider them all good friends. In fact he barely knew even a small handful of them and then they were not particularly loyal. He is very lonely even with his hundreds of randoms

I don't have anyone that would come to me in a time of need short of anything life threatening and even then I'm not certain that they'd come tbh, maybe two of them three at a push if that. Which makes me sad, and rather evilly want to test that theory out (I won't but it would be interesting to see who'd bother coming). My family however are fab, I could call anyone from anywhere in the world and they'd make sure someone would come ASAP.

I have three whom I could turn to in any crisis.

I've found you can make friends as you get older but certain things make it easier - when children started school in a new area went to school made quite a few with other parents and one staff member. Not so easy at secondary due to no pick up and drop off.

I did one meetup thing once but actually found that a hard way to make friends as most there seemed to have social anxiety. When I was younger interest groups where were I made lots of friends. I think its easier when you've got one thing in common to start with.