Is it normal not to have a best friend in adulthood?

Anonymous
I have friends for different reasons and things and needs and interests and contexts. But no bestie. Is this unusual? Sometimes it makes me sad.
Anonymous
Odd you would think so
Anonymous
I’ve accepted that I generally don’t have friends other than my college and grad school buddies. And accepting that has made me feel much less socially awkward at, for instance, the carnival at my kid’s school today.

But I’m recently dx autistic, so do with that as you will…
Anonymous
I don't think it's unusual. I think people who have a true BFF as adults are unusual and lucky.

Though I used to wish I had someone like this but in the lat few years have made my piece with it. I have a spouse who is obviously a huge support and is my family, plus some very longtime close friends who I think of as permanent friends who are very reliable and know me well, plus a child with whom I have a close and positive relationship. As I get older, I view this as very fortunate. I have also realized it makes more sense, at a certain point, to just invest in the relationships you do have with people who know you well, than to try and find another friend who might be more of a "best" friend. I'm actually very lucky, even if I never wound up with that one close friend with whom I have a special bond.
Anonymous
“No bestie”? Are you sure you’re an adult?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Odd you would think so


This.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Odd you would think so


Odd that you would think so what? That it’s not normal to not have a bestie? Or normal to not have one? Too many negatives to follow you.
Anonymous
No bestie here. I think it’s rare actually
Anonymous
I’ve been friends with my best friend for almost 40 years. It never occurred to me, does it sound weird to hear someone I their 50s say it? I guess we’re just used to it after all these years.
Anonymous
I don’t have a best friend nor frankly any really good friends. Sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me because I don’t feel the need to make any and don’t make any effort to get closer to the friends I have. But with a full time job, 2 kids, a husband and a mom who is local and who I am very close to….i have plenty of close relationships. Interested in what others have to say. I’m 48.
Anonymous
As much as he drives me crazy DH is my best friend I guess..I have a good circle of girlfriends but they only see the side of me that I curate for them. DH is the one who knows me knows me and we prefer each other's company. We also left our church the first year we were married and had to rely on each other
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a best friend nor frankly any really good friends. Sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me because I don’t feel the need to make any and don’t make any effort to get closer to the friends I have. But with a full time job, 2 kids, a husband and a mom who is local and who I am very close to….i have plenty of close relationships. Interested in what others have to say. I’m 48.


This is me. I get emotional fulfillment from my husband, kids, parents, and sisters, and I have a few good friends at work.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I’ve accepted that I generally don’t have friends other than my college and grad school buddies. And accepting that has made me feel much less socially awkward at, for instance, the carnival at my kid’s school today.

But I’m recently dx autistic, so do with that as you will…


Hmmm…I also don’t really have friends and did not maintain any from HS Ana college. Have often wondered if I could be in the spectrum. How did you get diagnosed and what made you pursue it?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I have friends for different reasons and things and needs and interests and contexts. But no bestie. Is this unusual? Sometimes it makes me sad.


Yes. Quite. I don't need a best friend as an adult
Anonymous
46 yr old married woman here.
No best friend.
I was close with my mother and after she died, I guess I filled that void with the other women in my various circles (cousins / neighbors, pool / kids’ school community, etc).
Between an absence of parents, 3 kids, and an outgoing personality, I do get my social fill.

But in no way is my husband my best friend, and I do seek supportive female relationships. (Don’t have to be female necessarily, but I don’t see becoming emotionally close with someone else’s husband!)

I think an adult best friend is great for someone that has it! Sometimes best friends are in the form of mom, daughter or spouse.
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