Why is it so hard to make friends?

Why is it so hard to make friends: If you feel like you do not have enough friends or stumble with a sense of loneliness, you are not the only one. As an adult, it might feel difficult to make new connections, but if you are ready to put in some effort, you can build new connections.

This article explains the possible reasons why you have been unsuccessful in making friends.

Why is it so hard to make new friends:

Fear of rejection

When it comes to making new friends, one of the biggest obstacles people tend to face is that people fear of rejection. Being turned down by other people when you have reached out can hurt and embarrass you. It is understandable that if you fear this, you would stop yourself from reaching out in the first place. Keep in mind that staying silent can make it that much harder for others to find out that you want to be friends with them.

Considering everyone already has friends

Many people have this misconception that everyone around them already has friends. But one needs to understand that this is just a misconception because many people are lonely. People who require and desire friends may miss the chance to be friends with each other because both people may assume the other would not be interested in making new friends. This is particularly hard for adults who have seen many long-time friends pass away. It can feel painful to think that the social network you once had is now becoming smaller. Older adults may think that it is too late to start new bonds.

Not getting enough opportunities

Children do not go to school thinking that they will go to school to make new friends. Their friendship happens unplanned because they are put together with other mates for 5 days a week irrespective of whether they enjoy it or not. Many adults do not have a similar types of opportunities that bring them together with a large group of people. Our career life makes friendships harder.

Also Read: Traits of a reliable person.

Adults are expected to spend time at home, away from friends, doing household core, and caring for family members. We as adults spend most of our waking life at work, where we may not have like-minded people or may not have many opportunities to interact with them.

Anxiety

A very typical reason for this problem is that many people experience some extent of anxiety while meeting new people. This anxiety originates from a fear of being abandoned or judged by others. For some people, these worries can hinder their ability to connect with people because it is challenging to focus on a conversation when feeling anxious or unsure about themselves. These painful feelings may also encourage us to avoid making friends. The next time you try to make a friend, check your thoughts and feelings to see if you feel anxious, fearful, or insecure. Then ask yourself if these feelings are aiding your ability to make a friend. This may help you to understand better why it may be difficult for you to make friends.