What are the signs you've outgrown your friends? We like to think that we'll be friends forever, but some people belong to certain stages in our lives. Sometimes we aren't the same people that we were when we met a friend, and the things we once had in common disappear. Here are some of the signs you've outgrown your friends …
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
Successfully subscribed!
Thank you for subscribing! Check your inbox for personalized content.
1. You Don't Enjoy Seeing Them
One of the signs you've outgrown your friends is that you don't enjoy seeing them. Perhaps you both find it difficult to chat as freely as you once did. This doesn't mean that you don't like each other anymore, but that you don't have the same rapport you once had. People change, and so do friendships.
***
It is natural for friendships to evolve over time. As we grow and mature, the things that we find interesting and important may change, and this can lead to growing apart from our friends. When this happens, it can be difficult to recognize that our relationships have shifted. Here are seven signs that you may have outgrown your friends:
You don’t enjoy seeing them: If you find yourself dreading get-togethers with your friends, it could be a sign that you’ve outgrown them. It could be that you don’t have the same rapport you once had, or that you have different interests now.
You don’t feel comfortable being yourself: Friendships should be based on trust and honesty, and if you don’t feel comfortable being yourself around your friends, it could be a sign that you’ve outgrown them.
You don’t talk about the same things: If you and your friends no longer have anything in common to talk about, it could be a sign that you’ve outgrown them.
Well, if you just feel like you don’t click with them anymore or your interests have diverged massively, that's a big sign. If you find yourself dreading meetups or feeling drained after hanging out, you might have outgrown them.
Absolutely, it’s super normal! People change as they grow and sometimes those changes mean you drift apart from old friends. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or them, it's just part of life.
It's possible, but it can be really tough. Usually, shared interests and common experiences help bond you to your friends. Without that, the connection might start to feel forced.
It might be time to have an open chat with them. Sometimes, you can find new common ground or activities to enjoy together. But if that doesn’t work, it’s okay to spend more time making new friends who share your current interests.
Not at all. Friendships, like all relationships, should be nurturing and positive. If they no longer serve you or make you happy, it's okay to move on. Ending a friendship doesn’t have to be negative; it can just be a part of growing up.
2. Nothing in Common
Perhaps you no longer have anything in common. Many old friendships founder when one person has children and the other still leads a single life. Neither can understand the other's lifestyle anymore. If you don't have the same things in common that made you friends, it can be challenging to maintain a friendship where the reason for it existing has changed.
Well, if you just feel like you don’t click with them anymore or your interests have diverged massively, that's a big sign. If you find yourself dreading meetups or feeling drained after hanging out, you might have outgrown them.
Absolutely, it’s super normal! People change as they grow and sometimes those changes mean you drift apart from old friends. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or them, it's just part of life.
It's possible, but it can be really tough. Usually, shared interests and common experiences help bond you to your friends. Without that, the connection might start to feel forced.
It might be time to have an open chat with them. Sometimes, you can find new common ground or activities to enjoy together. But if that doesn’t work, it’s okay to spend more time making new friends who share your current interests.
Not at all. Friendships, like all relationships, should be nurturing and positive. If they no longer serve you or make you happy, it's okay to move on. Ending a friendship doesn’t have to be negative; it can just be a part of growing up.
3. You've Changed, They Haven't
Are you a different person from how you were five or ten years ago? We can change a lot over the years, but if your friend hasn't developed as a person it can create difficulties. Either they seem stagnant, or they resent the fact that you've moved on in life and developed.
Well, if you just feel like you don’t click with them anymore or your interests have diverged massively, that's a big sign. If you find yourself dreading meetups or feeling drained after hanging out, you might have outgrown them.
Absolutely, it’s super normal! People change as they grow and sometimes those changes mean you drift apart from old friends. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or them, it's just part of life.
It's possible, but it can be really tough. Usually, shared interests and common experiences help bond you to your friends. Without that, the connection might start to feel forced.
It might be time to have an open chat with them. Sometimes, you can find new common ground or activities to enjoy together. But if that doesn’t work, it’s okay to spend more time making new friends who share your current interests.
Not at all. Friendships, like all relationships, should be nurturing and positive. If they no longer serve you or make you happy, it's okay to move on. Ending a friendship doesn’t have to be negative; it can just be a part of growing up.
4. They Seem Immature
The friends from our younger days can seem immature when we have more responsibilities, such as children or career. This immaturity will seem irritating and lead you to dislike being around them. We all mature at different rates, and if your friends always want to party when you enjoy a quieter time, it may be time to move on.
Well, if you just feel like you don’t click with them anymore or your interests have diverged massively, that's a big sign. If you find yourself dreading meetups or feeling drained after hanging out, you might have outgrown them.
Absolutely, it’s super normal! People change as they grow and sometimes those changes mean you drift apart from old friends. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or them, it's just part of life.
It's possible, but it can be really tough. Usually, shared interests and common experiences help bond you to your friends. Without that, the connection might start to feel forced.
It might be time to have an open chat with them. Sometimes, you can find new common ground or activities to enjoy together. But if that doesn’t work, it’s okay to spend more time making new friends who share your current interests.
Not at all. Friendships, like all relationships, should be nurturing and positive. If they no longer serve you or make you happy, it's okay to move on. Ending a friendship doesn’t have to be negative; it can just be a part of growing up.
Sunshine and blue skies bring positivity and joy and it's important for every woman to take full advantage of it. Even when stuck indoors, it's still possible to enjoy some good vibes. Check out these unique tips on how to make the most of the weather right at your home. Let's celebrate every beautiful day, no matter where we are.
5. Negativity
Is your friend always criticising you and saying negative things about your life? Consider why they are doing this; if they don't realise they're being negative then talking to them may solve the problem. But if they're trying to put you down to make themselves feel better, the friendship has probably run its course.
Well, if you just feel like you don’t click with them anymore or your interests have diverged massively, that's a big sign. If you find yourself dreading meetups or feeling drained after hanging out, you might have outgrown them.
Absolutely, it’s super normal! People change as they grow and sometimes those changes mean you drift apart from old friends. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or them, it's just part of life.
It's possible, but it can be really tough. Usually, shared interests and common experiences help bond you to your friends. Without that, the connection might start to feel forced.
It might be time to have an open chat with them. Sometimes, you can find new common ground or activities to enjoy together. But if that doesn’t work, it’s okay to spend more time making new friends who share your current interests.
Not at all. Friendships, like all relationships, should be nurturing and positive. If they no longer serve you or make you happy, it's okay to move on. Ending a friendship doesn’t have to be negative; it can just be a part of growing up.
Gallery Spotlight
Save and share the images that inspire you. Tag @allwomenstalk to get featured.
Save
6. One-Sided
Some friendships can pick up where they left off, no matter how much time has passed. But what if only one of you makes the effort to keep in touch? This kind of one-sided friendship hardly seems worth having; if they never take the initiative and always leave it to you to make arrangements, they may have outgrown you.
Well, if you just feel like you don’t click with them anymore or your interests have diverged massively, that's a big sign. If you find yourself dreading meetups or feeling drained after hanging out, you might have outgrown them.
Absolutely, it’s super normal! People change as they grow and sometimes those changes mean you drift apart from old friends. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or them, it's just part of life.
It's possible, but it can be really tough. Usually, shared interests and common experiences help bond you to your friends. Without that, the connection might start to feel forced.
It might be time to have an open chat with them. Sometimes, you can find new common ground or activities to enjoy together. But if that doesn’t work, it’s okay to spend more time making new friends who share your current interests.
Not at all. Friendships, like all relationships, should be nurturing and positive. If they no longer serve you or make you happy, it's okay to move on. Ending a friendship doesn’t have to be negative; it can just be a part of growing up.
7. Sentimental
Perhaps you stay in touch for nostalgic reasons, because you've known your friend for years. Or maybe your kids are at school together and you feel obliged to be friends. Life is too short to waste it on people you don't actually enjoy being with, so ease away from a friendship that gives you nothing.
It can be hard letting go of a friend who has been in your life for a long time, but even long-standing friendships can run out of steam. You're not doing each other any favors if you hang on to a friendship that does nothing for you. Let it go, and make room for both of you to have more fulfilling friendships. Would you stay friends out of a sense of obligation?
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
Successfully subscribed!
Thank you for subscribing! Check your inbox for personalized content.
Comments
Sarah: I really needed this. I'm currently going through a period of growth in which my friends and I just don't connect anymore. I've been feeling pretty guilty and depressed about it, but reading this makes me feel better.
yscute: Let it go, yeah!!!
Lisa: Sarah, I totally feel where you are coming from. Time to clean out the closet.
Splashhhh: But I tought u have to stick with ur friends no matter what , isnt consider bad keep replacing them
DebH: #3 My friend and I are both 65. I've know her since first grade. 20 years ago, when she got divorced, she couldn't stand being alone so within a year of her divorce the ONLY guy she could find to move in with was MY EX HUSBAND who also cannot bear to be alone. He and I have an adult child together and had maintained a cordial relationship due to that. We had been divorced for over 10 years at the time but I still felt betrayed. I didn't speak to her for six months but finally relented because of our long history together. However, now, it's just awkward and I feel like she is always negative and angry. I have been happily single for a long time and enjoy my time alone. I can't stand to hear her complain etc.. I don't want to spend time around her anymore but if I tell her that she will fall apart because she says I'm her only friend. She absolutely drains the life from me and I dread answering the phone when she calls. I care about her but I hate spending time with her.
Susan: i think if its a true friend you'll always remain friends no matter your differences or how you've both changed :) or even if you never spend time together anymore you can still be friends, because you can never have too many friends! :)
Beryl: It's sad and you can feel guilty but you have to let go if you have moved on and your old friend has not and gets resentful of you.
trish: some of my friends I need to move on from as we have absolutely nothing in common and when I spend time with them I'm not stimulated for a second. This is so disappointing, but I understand that we have all moved on and we have different interests. I love lively conversation about politics, Im worldly and Im interested in many things. I know we cant all be the same but you have to know when its time to move on to find that fit in a new friendship.
Vitamin: @splashhhh I agree!!
:
Add allwomenstalk.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.EST 2005
Evolve. Empower. Elevate.
- Creators on the platform
- 3,000+
- Total social reach
- 12M+
- Features published
- 100K+
New Earn badges & level up while you read
Create your profile. Earn badges. Level up your reading.
Join Allwomenstalk to track your streaks, collect badges, and earn XP for the things you already do—reading, sharing, and taking quizzes.
- 🔥Daily streaks with gentle boosts for 3, 7, and 30 days.
- 🏅Collect badges like Reader I–III, Socialite, and Quiz Ace.
- ⚡️Earn XP for reads, deep reads, likes, comments, and shares.
It’s free. Takes 30 seconds. Already have an account? Sign in.
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge