To Make Friends After 60: Myths and Realities

If you’re actively trying to make friends after 60 right now, stop. Not because you don’t deserve friends, but because you first need to know the myths and realities behind that phrase.

When we were kids, things were so easy. If you were new in the neighborhood, you just went out, asked the first available kid your age who looked kind, and asked, “Do you want to play with me?” If the chemistry was ok, the new contact rapidly turned into a friendship.

So why does friendship become more complicated as we grow? It doesn’t—we complicate it ourselves.

The difference between a friend and a frequent contact

During your working years, you got to know many people of different ages. With some, you had frequent job-related connections; with others, less so. Some were lunch companions; others, people you tried to avoid.

Why is it like that?

With a contact, you share practical information and facts, like dates, sizes, and numbers. That data helps you keep up with the contact.

A friend also shares those facts, but adds emotions, empathy, and even romance—and, in that sense, even love. Think about it: every sentimental relationship starts with friendship.

Whatever path your friendships took in life, the number of friends goes down as you reach a certain age. This happens for many reasons. People move, family situations change, and people pass away.

To make friends after 60 is almost by default one of the biggest myths about friendship. For some, it’s important; for others, less so. Watch the video below for a more detailed explanation.

If making new friendships after 60 isn’t something you actively work on, that’s fine, but be aware of the loneliness that can lurk in the background.

Alone vs. loneliness

Being alone doesn’t have to be negative. We all need, now and then, our “me time,” when it’s just “me” and the issue to solve.

People often misinterpret “being alone” as loneliness. Being alone is a status you choose because you need to or want to. Loneliness is more complicated to describe. It’s about feelings and emotions.

Making Friends After 60 or Being Alone?

The best way to make friends after 60 is to be one. A friendly approach that shows interest in the people around us can lead to long-lasting friendships.

However, do not underestimate people who prefer to spend most of their lives on their own. No one has the right to judge or say which direction is best.

The task you have to handle at the moment can also factor into which path you take.

In the video, we go deeper into loneliness vs. being alone, and why it’s important to make new friends after 60.

Friendships, being alone, and loneliness after 60 are among the taboos we seldom speak about out loud. Still, they’re becoming more common than they used to be. After watching the video, comment below with your takeaway.

How to Make Friends After 60 In a Nutshell

You can be alone without feeling lonely
Loneliness is a feeling, while being alone is something you decide to be
A few real friends are always better than many “friends” just being known people
Define what a real friend is for you

Friendship, loneliness, being alone or not is something 100% personal. What suits you may be the opposite for another person. Which strategy is the right one? The one you choose.

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