Reflections on Friendships as an Adult

Have you ever paused mid-day and thought about a friend you haven’t spoken to in years? Maybe it was a song, a photo, or just a random moment that brought them back to you. It’s funny how friendships linger like that—echoes of laughter, late-night talks, shared milestones. Even if we don’t talk anymore, even if life quietly pulled us in different directions, I still smile when I think of those moments. And I’ve come to believe that every friendship, no matter how long it lasted, is worth being grateful for.

As we grow older, friendships start to look different. They become less about constant contact and more about quality, understanding, and shared values. Life gets fuller—careers evolve, families grow, priorities shift. And through it all, friendships stretch, bend, sometimes fade, abruptly end and sometimes return stronger than ever. What I’ve learned is that it’s not about how long someone stays in your life, but the impact they leave behind.

I used to think every close friend would stay forever. I imagined we’d all grow side by side. But that’s not how life works. Some friendships end quietly, without a fight or a falling out—just a slow drift into different rhythms. And that’s okay. There’s grace in letting go without bitterness. Some people are meant to walk with us through one chapter, not the whole story. I no longer see those friendships as lost—I see them as complete.

At the same time, I’ve watched some friendships deepen with age, turning into the kind of safe harbor you don’t take for granted. These are the people who know the many versions of you—who’ve seen the unfiltered moments and showed up anyway. They don’t need constant updates to understand where you’re at in life. When you reconnect, it’s like no time has passed. These friendships are fewer, but they’re gold.

And then there are the new friendships—the unexpected ones that show up just when you need them. Maybe it’s a fellow mom who gets what it’s like to juggle everything, or a coworker who becomes a confidant. Starting new friendships as an adult isn’t always easy, but when they click, it feels like magic. These bonds remind me that it’s never too late to find your people.

I’ve become more intentional about who I invest my time and energy into. If the friendship calms my nervous system, I hold on a little tighter. If not, I let it go. There’s a quiet power in choosing connections that uplift rather than drain.

Whether you’re in a season of reconnecting, releasing, or reaching out—I hope you know this: your friendships matter. Even the ones that didn’t last. Even the ones that changed. Even the ones you tried to desperately hold onto. Each person who walked with you left footprints that helped shape who you are today.

Life is short, and frienship—whether it came as a lifelong bond or a fleeting connection—deserves to be remembered with gratitude.

Let’s hold our friendships with an open hand and a full heart.

Xoxo,

Maggie

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