How Time and Growth Shape Adult Friendships? And How to Maintain Them

No one cautioned us about how complicated friendships would become in adulthood. As children or teenagers, friends could be found everywhere  at school, in the community, on all sports teams or in clubs. You didn’t need to exert much effort. You merely arrived, and connections formed. Currently? It’s an entirely different tale. 

The Role of Time Scarcity and Personal Growth in Lasting Adult Friendships

To begin with, time transforms into a fleeting, scarce entity. Work requires more time than anticipated, families require your focus, and all of a sudden, that brief message or coffee meetup isn’t as brief as it used to be. You catch yourself balancing schedules, dispatching invites weeks ahead, and occasionally, still losing out. It’s exasperating, yet it’s reality. 

Additionally, it’s worth noting that individuals evolve. You’ve changed since ten years ago — your interests evolve, your priorities change, and even your values can adjust. This implies that certain friendships diminish naturally. And that’s perfectly fine. It doesn’t imply the friendship was unsuccessful; it merely indicates that you both evolved in separate ways. At times it’s unfortunate, yet it’s also a part of maturing. 

Why Time Honesty and Presence Are Key to Sustaining Adult Friendships

However, this does not imply that friendships among adults cannot hold significant value. They simply need a little extra attention. Occasionally, a straightforward “thinking of you” note can lift someone’s spirits. A fleeting shared moment can highlight the importance of the friendship. Being truthful, paying attention, and being present  even with flaws  makes a significant impact. 

Aarti Ratan’s 2019 paper, Friendship Maintenance: What Works and Why (Journal of Social and Personal Relationships), highlights that consistent communication, shared activities, and honest conversations help adults nurture friendships despite busy lives and changing priorities.

Friendships among adults require time and commitment. However, the relationships you cultivate? They are the ones that remind you, even during the busiest days, you are not alone. 

Also Read: Friendship Over Romance: How Gen Z is Redefining What It Means to Connect