Do friendships ever just kind of run their course and then die?

[closeupready]

I mean, is it normal for friends to kind of stop being friends, not due to a falling out or a move or change in circumstances, but just because you don't have all that much in common?

I was dating this guy a few years ago, and then we stopped dating, and talking, and then after a year, we saw each other again, and started being friends again because we enjoy each other's company, but I'm finding that we see each other less lately. I hope it's not the end, because I'm fond of him, but maybe it's inevitable?

What's your experience?

[MrCoffee]

1. All but one of my friendships that started +10 years ago have ended that way

People change. No big deal.

[Redstone]

2. All the time. Such is life.

Redstone

[skygazer]

3. I've found that happens with some friends and not with others

It seems to me that the people who I've retained things in common with, I continue to be friends with but with others who I've got less and less in common with, it ends up just being reminiscing when we get together and that gets old. So we drift apart.

[NJmaverick]

4. In time people change and when people chain

there is always a chance you can drift apart. It's sad, but on the other hand you will probably meet up with people that you have more in common with.

[Stuart G]

5. Yes. People change for better and for worse..nt

[Esra Star]

6. Six billion people.....three score and ten. nt

[blonndee]

7. Sounds normal to me.

Most of my friendships that have drifted apart have been mostly due to what you call "change in circumstances," but as others here have said, people change. Also, some people DON'T change, and when one does and the other doesn't, often drifting apart is quite natural.

I think lifetime and even long-term close friendships are VERY rare. I feel so lucky that I have ONE best friend whom I have known now for 17 years (seems unbelievable) and despite our many life changes, our relationship is special and persists and we both know it will never end. BUT, it has changed dramatically over the years, as we have. That is rare indeed, I think. So many more friendships have run their course, and I think this is the case for most relationships. There's nothing wrong with that! I think we should just appreciate the people we care about and spend time with for what we shared, for however long we share parts of our lives.

[closeupready]

8. Thanks everyone for the responses.

:hi:

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. Yep, some friendships just wither away.

[yellowdogintexas]

12. and some you pick back up after a long separation like you were just

together for lunch yesterday.

I have a friend in Georgia, a friend in Kentucky and two friends in Tennessee like that; they are like my sisters or my cousins in that way.

Interestingly I met all four of them in the same place, and I have other good friends from that group that I can pick up with but these four are exceptionally close friends.


I have a friend I've known since we were babies and another I have known since first grade, and my college roommate and I still keep in touch, and hope to see one another for the first time in over 30 years at a college reunion in September ...

People I have gotten to know from work situations and things I have tended to lose touch with.

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. That too- Glad that you have so many that can work that way!

[MorningGlow]

10. All the time

Nearly a year ago I acutally parted ways with my two oldest, best friends--the ones I thought I'd be friends with forever. My oldest best friend and I had known each other for 30 years--since we were 12--and my other oldest best friend and I had known each other for 15 years. They were my covenmates and we had taken a vow as blood sisters (no, no actual bloodletting involved) and despite all that, they changed, I changed, and *poof* they are out of my life and I am out of theirs. Weird, weird....The good news, however, is new friendships form all the time.

[Left Is Write]

11. Sometimes.

It's not unusual.

[mitchum]

14. I ave found that happens often with "work close friends"...

you don't just hang out together at lunch or after work, but on weekends, etc...
When one leaves that particular workplace, the friendship may continue for awhile then peter out.
I have not only had this happen with myself, but have seen it with many other people. Time and time again.

[XemaSab]

15. For sure...

:thumbsup:

[1]

16. more so those in my early years...

great friends from my youth have vaporized completely. the early ones, high school, hell even college.

but after we all figured out our directions, friendships have continued and have grown.

some friendships have died (some people died, some people went another way.) the nature of human interactions.

but i do still love every woman i have ever been in a relationship with. i understand why we didn't work, why we had to separate and why we had to move on. being a couple is a tough task. monumental. but i can look fondly back on every love and remember that love.

eh... life...