If Friendship Is Feeling Harder Than It Used To

People talk about friendship like it’s all chemistry.

But in practice, proximity matters more than most people want to admit.

Seeing the same people regularly.
Being in the same places.
Sharing rhythms that don’t require constant effort or coordination.

That’s why you might form friendship bonds with fellow moms at school pickup, office-mates, or people in your running club.

Strip that away, and you can find yourself back at square one—unless there are intentional measures in place to maintain those friendships.

When proximity disappears, friendships don’t necessarily end.
They often just thin out.

Closeness isn’t only emotional.
It’s logistical.

I’m interested in what changes when we’re more honest about that.