Growing Apart: Signs and Indicators
It can be tough to admit that relationships change over time, especially when we’re talking about close friendships. People naturally evolve and grow, and sometimes that means drifting apart from the people we once held near and dear.
If you’re wondering whether you and your friend are starting to grow apart, take a look at some of these signs and indicators.
Signs of Growing Apart
1. Changes in Personalities
As we get older, our personalities tend to shift and change.
This can be especially true during puberty, when hormones are wreaking havoc on our bodies and minds. If you’ve noticed that your friend seems to be acting differently than they used to, it could be a sign that you’re growing apart.
They might be exploring new facets of their identity, or they might just be outgrowing their old quirks and habits.
2. Decreased Desire to Communicate
One of the most obvious signs that you’re growing apart from a friend is a decrease in communication. If you find yourselves talking less and less frequently, it might be a sign that your bond is starting to weaken.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that there isn’t still love and care between you, it just means that your lives are becoming more separate.
3. Differences in Opinions and Beliefs
It’s normal for people to have different opinions and beliefs—in fact, it’s what makes life interesting! However, if you and your friend are starting to have more and more disagreements, it could be a sign that you’re growing apart.
Sometimes, our beliefs and values change as we mature and experience new things. If those changes start to come into conflict with your friend’s, it can be difficult to maintain a close relationship.
4. Shifts in Interests
Just like with personality changes, shifts in interests can be a sign that you and your friend are starting to grow apart. They might be interested in new hobbies or activities that you don’t share, or they might just have less time to devote to the things that you used to enjoy together.
This doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing—it’s important to let our friends grow and pursue their passions.
5. Influence of New Friends
Finally, new friends can also be a sign that you and your friend are growing apart. It’s natural to seek out new connections as we go through life, but if your friend is spending more time with other people and less time with you, it can be difficult to maintain the closeness that you once had.
Indicators of Growing Apart
1. Priority Shifts
As we get older, our priorities can shift in ways we never anticipated.
Maybe your friend is starting a new career, or they’re focusing more on their family or romantic relationships. Whatever the reason, if you’re finding yourselves on different paths, it can be a sign that you’re growing apart.
2. Increase in Ignored Calls
We all have busy lives, and it’s normal to miss a call or text every now and then.
However, if your friend is consistently ignoring your attempts to reach out, it might be a sign that they’re pulling away. It’s important to give them the space they need, but it’s also important to acknowledge that your relationship might be changing.
3. Annoyance with Once-Close Person
It’s natural to get annoyed with people from time to time, but if you’re finding that your friend is starting to get on your nerves more often than not, it could be a sign that you’re growing apart.
Sometimes, little quirks and habits that we used to find endearing can start to grate on us as we get older.
4. Less Frequent Physical Interaction
If you find yourselves spending less and less time together in person, it can be a sign that your friendship is becoming more distant. This doesn’t mean that you have to see each other every day, but it’s important to make an effort to maintain some level of face-to-face interaction.
5. Shifts in Friend Groups
Finally, shifts in friend groups can also be an indicator that you and your friend are growing apart.
Maybe they’ve started spending more time with a new group of people, or maybe you’ve drifted away from the mutual friends that you used to share. Whatever the cause, if your social circles are starting to diverge, it can be difficult to keep your friendship alive.
Conclusion
Growing apart from friends is a normal part of life, but that doesn’t make it any less painful. If you’re starting to pick up on some of these signs and indicators, it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your friend about how you’re feeling.
If your bond is strong enough, you might be able to weather these changes and emerge even closer on the other side. And if not, at least you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you tried your best to maintain those important connections.
In conclusion, recognizing the signs and indicators of growing apart from friends can be a difficult but necessary step in maintaining healthy relationships. Changes in personalities, communication, opinions and beliefs, interests, and friend groups can all indicate that a friendship is evolving and changing.
Priority shifts, increased calls ignored, annoyance, less frequent physical interaction, and shifts in friend groups can also signify a growing distance. These signs and indicators remind us that relationships require attention, effort, and sometimes difficult conversations to sustain.
But by acknowledging these changes and communicating effectively with our friends, we can navigate the evolution of our connections and emerge even stronger on the other side.
