New friendships in midlife take effort but bring special rewards. In stark comparison to this, older adults have one big advantage over middle-aged people: they have more time.
Big changes like retirement, moving, or personal growth create natural openings for friendship. A 40-year-old woman who moved across the country learned that making friends at this age feels like dating: "It's dependent not only on chemistry and common interests, but also on a shared vision of what your new relationship could provide".
Women become pickier about friendships in midlife. "As we age, we tend to have less tolerance or energy for fluff friendships. We want substance and real, genuine connections," explains one friendship expert. Research backs up the importance of these bonds. Strong social networks according to meta-analyzes
reduce the risk of early death by about 45 percent.By midlife, you know yourself better. You understand what matters in relationships. This self-awareness helps create deeper, more authentic friendships than those from earlier years.