We have the most friendships during childhood, college years and early working life. Such friendships are like certain plants that grow and spread without anyone planting or nurturing them. We do not make conscious efforts for them, because friendships in childhood, adolescence and youth grow easily. New relationships are simple during this stage, because people have more time and also have an attitude of seeking friendship.
But as life moves forward, when family and responsibilities increase, finding new friends begins to feel difficult. When we reach our thirties and forties, friendship becomes even harder. Life becomes filled with busyness. Work, children and relationships take away all our time. That is why forming new friendships starts to seem impossible.
But that is not true. With the right attitude and effort, new friendships can be created at any stage or age of life. Friendship is needed now and always. Therefore, without looking at age or life situation, begin small efforts to build friendship. Invite a colleague for coffee, make friends with the parents of your children’s classmates, reconnect with old friends. Sometimes even a small message is enough to renew an old relationship.
After fifty, friendship enters a new level of life. In this stage, there is more free time but also more loneliness. Here, we must show the courage to create new relationships. Join social groups and organizations. By participating in travel, workshops and volunteer activities, we can find like-minded friends.
Do not fear forming new friendships at any age. Sometimes we may think, “Do I need new relationships at this age?” But humans live for relationships. Friendship is a bond that includes support and understanding. Even small conversations are valuable. Maintaining friendship is equally important. Even if forming a relationship is easy, keeping it alive requires attention. Listen to each other, make time and value the moments spent together. At any stage of life, friendship preserves its true beauty only when it is nurtured.
Many people misunderstand that the need for friendship decreases as age increases. In reality, as age increases, the presence of friends only makes life richer. Friends remind us that we are still human, that we still deserve to be heard. Therefore, at any stage of life, open your heart. Meet new people, call the old ones and keep the doors of relationship open. Friendship is not about age – it is a language of the heart. A loving relationship brings new light to life at any age.
The first step in finding friendship at any age is an open mind. It may not be possible to accept everyone quickly as we did in childhood. But the relationships we choose at this age will be more meaningful. Seek opportunities to connect with people who share similar interests. The most important thing in forming friendship is authenticity. Do not cling to pleasing others; being who you truly are is the foundation of strong friendship – never forget that.
