It May Hurt To Outgrow Your Friends, And Here Are Some Signs That It’s Happening To You
As much as we’d love to say we are still super close with the same people we used to hang out with 10 years ago, that’s not always the case.
Friendships are a beautiful thing, and while it truly is a gift to have childhood friends in your life when you’re an adult, certain friends are only in your life for a certain period.
As much as it may hurt to admit you’ve outgrown some of your friends, it’s important to acknowledge so that you can continue to grow and move on to bigger and better things with friends who will help you get there.
If you’re unsure whether or not you’re outgrowing some of your friends, here are some signs that it’s happening.
You struggle to find time to hangout
When you’re the closest you’ve ever been with a friend, you prioritize the time you spend together. Of course, it’s normal for friends to be busy and occasionally sacrifice some hangout time because of other responsibilities.
However, if it feels like you’re canceling or postponing plans with your friends more than you hang out with them, it’s a red flag.
You find yourself complaining about them more often
Strong and healthy friendships shouldn’t cause you to complain about them constantly. Sure, we all have our little riffs with each other occasionally, but constantly complaining about your friends is a sign that you have outgrown them. You don’t have to be friends with someone that you complain about.
kiuikson – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
You can’t let go of the past
One of the biggest indicators that you’ve outgrown an old friend is that you can only talk and think about your past with them.
As we enter adulthood, it’s important to surround ourselves with friends who will support us and make memories with us in the future.
It’s great to reminisce on the past, but it may be time to move on if you mostly talk about your childhood memories whenever you’re with your friend.
You’re not getting the support you need
One of the basic requirements of being a good friend is being supportive. While you shouldn’t be at your friend’s every beck and call, you need to be willing and ready to support them when needed and vice versa.
If you’ve had some dark moments or struggles and your friend hasn’t been there for you, it’s very sad and a sign that something should change.
You start envying other people’s friendships
If you have a group of friends yet you find yourself envying other people’s friendships or the friendships you see portrayed in the media, it’s usually an indicator that you’ve outgrown your friends.
Longing to make new friendships and get close to new people is a feeling you shouldn’t ignore but embrace.
Again, realizing and acknowledging that it’s time to move on from your own friendships is difficult and can bring up a lot of emotions. But it’s important to let go of people who hold you back and embrace those who want to grow with you.
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