Hi All,
How do you navigate the feeling that you are moving away/growing apart from a friendship group?
Been close to some friends for a long while but lately feel an outsider, like I'm a boring or stand out like a sore thumb as I am the only "single" one.
I feel like the last few occassions of get togethers there have always been others there and I am an after thought.
The topic of conversations are about things I cannot relate to although I do try. And then there always seems to be the undertone (from the new "friends") of "why are you single?" "You're very protective/mysterious..."....honestly I feel like whenever new people meet me they make assumptions!
I'm single because I choose to put myself and my kids first..most people my age are committed or have kids and I don't want to be a stepmother, yes I do get lonely and in an ideal world I would meet the one but come one now, it just ain't happening and I'm OK with that.
I enjoy my kids, my work and my friends!
This particular group lately has started to make me feel inadequate, excluded and I've no idea why?
I'm just me.
I think basically other friendships have formed and been included in the group. Which is great. However from my point of view this involves three more couples.
Unfortunately for me this means interrogation, feeling inadequate and thinking why my friends aren't inviting me over on a one to one basis like it was before?
Maybe I'm just being touchy.
Why does being a single mum in your forties make you feel like some sort of enigma to strangers?? "Ooh, do you like being single? Have you got your eye on anyone?" "No mate, quite happy as I am for now thank you!"
Why do I feel like I have to justify myself to people!!! It's taken me over 10 years to feel settled in my circumstances but random people just have to rake up those feelings!
Just venting I guess. And questioning why my "original" friends seem to be distancing themselves from me.
Feeling inadequate and a bit unloved tbh 😞
I feel like an outsider. With work colleagues (some of whom have become good friends) and older friends I am me. I'm starting to wonder if I should distance myself. This particular friendship group has evolved and I don't feel like a I belong anymore.