Is it more difficult to make friends as you get older?

Answer 1

Brief answer: YES. I think it gets more difficult.

Long answer:
As people get older, alot of them get married. Then they have kids. When they get off of work, they want to spend time with the family. The time that it takes to bond as friends just isn't as available for them. You might make friends at work, but that's always a little different than being friends outside of work. It usually lacks the same depth unless you can make the transition to out of work friendships.
Another factor going on is, that as you age, you don't have quite as much energy. Staying up until 2 in crowded night clubs or going on fun overnight outings to do things like rafting or skiing become less fun than just staying at home and putting a steak on the grill.
As we get older, we also tend to gravitate towards having our own homes. I did this. Well, guess what - I spend more time than I ever imagined just trying to keep the place kept up and clean and the yard mowed.
Something else that I noticed about growing older is, that I have less tolerance for friends that aren't really friends. When I was 25, you could round up a crowd of people to run around on a saturday night on saturday afternoon. Some of them I didn't even know that well. Most of them were nice, I'm sure, but not all. Now, I am pickier about who I hang out with. I am more likely to do things alone, and I enjoy that time alone.

Bottom line is: you have less and less energy to invest in making friends, and an increasing amount of conflicting influences and competition, and you only have so much free time if you are working for a living.

I'm not sure what prompted a question like this, but it's not something to worry about. Just protect and maintain your friendships with the handful of people that are true friends and you will be ok. New friends will be made, it's just less often.

Good luck
Kevin

Answer 2

As you get older, you learn how to differentiate between the persons you would like to have as a friend and the ones not worth the effort. So it's easier to make good friends once you've met someone you find amiable.

However, as a rule, there are not as many opportunities to meet a broad spectrum of people to make your choice from, so it's not easier in that sense.

Don't worry so, I sure you'll have friends aplenty in the future.

Answer 3

Not so much difficult, as...complicated. You don't have as many places to meet potential friends. You also have learned to be a lot more selective in the people you choose to trust...

Answer 4

Actually, I think it's easier. You're older, more mature, have more confidence in yourself etc...and that reflects to others on how friendly you are, therefore easier to open up to people etc. Here's the thing, if you're in with a group of people and if you look miserable, no one is going to want to talk to you, but if you look happy and "carefree" people are apt to want to come and talk to you =)

Answer 5

In a way its easier because in general as people get older they become nicer and a little more forgiving.

Answer 6

I think so yes....i was "miss popularity" in high school...had to many friends to keep up with always had something to do...now i'm 21 and i have two friends left one of whom is my boyfriend and the other is my sister...i've found it harder to meet new friends becuase i live in such a small town.

Answer 7

No its not, as you start work you will have coworkers that will become your friends, as you get married you will learn to know people thrue your husband, as you have kids you get to know people thrue your kids

Answer 8

i think it's easier.