Anonymous
11/09/2025 09:32
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You sound too needy OP
This is not true.
I agree with the PP I can’t believe how many times OP has sent things with no response. And she continues doing it. I’d have that “friend” on mute in two seconds.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the DMV is the only place I’ve ever known where people wanting to connect with you/spend time with you is seen as an offense.
Anonymous
11/09/2025 08:01
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
OP never responded about what kind of content she was sending this friend.
Anonymous
11/09/2025 07:34
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think the other friend being jealous makes sense.
No. Grown women don’t get jealous over acquaintances.
Yes they do especially long term friends and sister who feel they are being replaced.
Anonymous
11/09/2025 07:31
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:A couple years ago, I made a new friend (middle-school DDs are same age though not friends, but no drama either). Shared interests, husbands compatible, etc. A unicorn.
We'd text often, swap memes, things felt easy. We'd meet up for dinner, occasionally get together as a couple, and she opened up to me a lot about some prior life history (a prior divorce, etc). It felt like we were close. I had a bit of the typical "do I reach out?" nervousness but usually got over it. As recently as last month, went out to dinner as couples, and had a drink a couple weeks ago. This woman has a longtime best friend, also at our school, and their families are super tight. It's clear that this family is her go-to and they do a lot together. Just for context.
Over the past couple weeks, it's been a weird dynamic shift. I send texts and get one-word or kind of dismissive replies. Sent memes and rarely get one back (I know that sounds silly, but it's an energy shift). I asked what she was up to this weekend and if we could grab a yoga session soon (we both are in the same gym) and she sent me a text about how she was so excited to be going on a getaway with this other family...and didn't ask what we were up to, and didn't respond to the hangout. Basically that ended the back and forth.
I AM 43. I am tired. I feel like I am playing games waiting for someone to reciprocate. More than anything, I wonder what the heck happened. So I just didn't respond to the text and decided to pull back...? I guess? I'm feeling sad about this, and then feeling silly because I'm an adult, but it still feels crappy, and I don't understand what happened and I guess I just wonder if anyone else out there in DCUM land has been in this situation and can offer insight on what is up. And it doesn't have to do with our kids, who rarely cross paths at their rather large middle school.
What kind of interests?
How difficult are the husband personalities?
If the interests are tennis and the husbands watch football, I’d get out there are find different friends.
Anonymous
11/09/2025 07:17
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You sound too needy OP
This is not true.
This is someone else. I am needy. Once I realized this it helped me a ton.
needy is internal as well (ie interpretations) it’s NOT just how one deals with others.
For me, it had to do with my childhood, etc. It’s okay to have some traits like this, for me recognizing it was very useful
Anonymous
11/09/2025 07:09
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:A couple years ago, I made a new friend (middle-school DDs are same age though not friends, but no drama either). Shared interests, husbands compatible, etc. A unicorn.
We'd text often, swap memes, things felt easy. We'd meet up for dinner, occasionally get together as a couple, and she opened up to me a lot about some prior life history (a prior divorce, etc). It felt like we were close. I had a bit of the typical "do I reach out?" nervousness but usually got over it. As recently as last month, went out to dinner as couples, and had a drink a couple weeks ago. This woman has a longtime best friend, also at our school, and their families are super tight. It's clear that this family is her go-to and they do a lot together. Just for context.
Over the past couple weeks, it's been a weird dynamic shift. I send texts and get one-word or kind of dismissive replies. Sent memes and rarely get one back (I know that sounds silly, but it's an energy shift). I asked what she was up to this weekend and if we could grab a yoga session soon (we both are in the same gym) and she sent me a text about how she was so excited to be going on a getaway with this other family...and didn't ask what we were up to, and didn't respond to the hangout. Basically that ended the back and forth.
I AM 43. I am tired. I feel like I am playing games waiting for someone to reciprocate. More than anything, I wonder what the heck happened. So I just didn't respond to the text and decided to pull back...? I guess? I'm feeling sad about this, and then feeling silly because I'm an adult, but it still feels crappy, and I don't understand what happened and I guess I just wonder if anyone else out there in DCUM land has been in this situation and can offer insight on what is up. And it doesn't have to do with our kids, who rarely cross paths at their rather large middle school.
btw, as a lady in her 40s I have had similar experiences. I like making new friends. Sometimes what you describe happens I started calling them “break ups” in my head
It allowed me to mourn it a little bc it’s socially acceptable — and everyone give hugs / gives love to a lady who just broke up with her boyfriend. What’s the difference ? not much
Anonymous
11/09/2025 07:05
Subject: Re:Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:Her friend got jealous. I see that a lot. She doesn't want to navigate it so she's just pulling back.
It's why people say women are crazy. I come from a male dominated family (7 boys and me) and I really don't get it or get into it so I just move on.
I am a “guy-like” woman. I only hang out with women like me (who have brothers, etc). In HS if someone thought I was needy, they would pull back. It’s actually a bit cruel. They do this on purpose
That said, sometimes I don’t understand men either — some act off too! hahahah hahahaha
Caring less: it’s easier said than done! Those people seem super happy though. Many are wildly successful
Anonymous
11/09/2025 05:18
Subject: Re:Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:I wonder If she has something going on and you aren’t close enough that she wants to talk about it. But she also doesn’t have the bandwidth to hang out.
I had a mom friend I was hanging out w a lot- like what you describe. She sort of ghosted me and I found out she has a somewhat serious personal issue going on. I’m not taking it personally.
The bolder was my initial thought, but she has the bandwidth to hang out with the other family and told OP about it (which seems super tacky IMO)
Anonymous
11/08/2025 22:47
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
I’m sorry for your loss! I feel for you and wish you well. One day you will find your people!
Anonymous
11/08/2025 22:27
Subject: Re:Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
I wonder If she has something going on and you aren’t close enough that she wants to talk about it. But she also doesn’t have the bandwidth to hang out.
I had a mom friend I was hanging out w a lot- like what you describe. She sort of ghosted me and I found out she has a somewhat serious personal issue going on. I’m not taking it personally.
I had a mom friend I was hanging out w a lot- like what you describe. She sort of ghosted me and I found out she has a somewhat serious personal issue going on. I’m not taking it personally.
Anonymous
11/08/2025 19:16
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:I have no idea of it's the case here but this is false. "Grown women" do all kinds of immature, petty, jealous things. Not all women of course, but I don't know how you can say this with a straight face. I've seen so much small minded behavior from women of friendships, acquaintances, men, kids.
Women are insane. I recommend not living with one.
Anonymous
11/08/2025 16:14
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think the other friend being jealous makes sense.
No. Grown women don’t get jealous over acquaintances.
I have no idea of it's the case here but this is false. "Grown women" do all kinds of immature, petty, jealous things. Not all women of course, but I don't know how you can say this with a straight face. I've seen so much small minded behavior from women of friendships, acquaintances, men, kids.
Anonymous
11/08/2025 15:21
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
It could be so many things. Maybe her friend is jealous. Maybe she doesn't agree with you politically. Maybe your kid or husband annoy her or her husband or her kid. Maybe she finds you not aligning with her needs right now and she does not have the bandwidth.
It is rough but time to find new friends.
It is rough but time to find new friends.
Anonymous
11/08/2025 14:16
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
I’m guessing she’s not into the things you’re sending her…
Anonymous
11/08/2025 14:14
Subject: Navigating adult friendships is confusing. Advice?
Anonymous wrote:I think the other friend being jealous makes sense.
No. Grown women don’t get jealous over acquaintances.