The number of close friends that one typically has at any given point in life can vary widely from person to person. There is no fixed or exact number that applies universally. Some individuals may have a large circle of close friends, while others might have only a few very close friends or even just one best friend.
The reason why people tend to have relatively few close friends can be attributed to several factors:
Time and energy constraints: Building and maintaining close friendships require time, effort, and emotional investment. As people grow older, they often have more responsibilities like work, family, and other commitments, leaving them with less time and energy to dedicate to numerous close friendships.
Emotional capacity: Close friendships often involve sharing personal feelings, vulnerabilities, and providing emotional support. Not everyone may have the emotional capacity to maintain multiple deep connections.
Trust and intimacy: Close friendships are built on trust and emotional intimacy. It takes time and shared experiences to develop this level of trust, which is difficult to achieve with a large number of people.
Compatibility and shared interests: Close friendships tend to be based on shared interests, values, and compatibility. It's not always easy to find a large number of people with whom one feels a deep connection.
Life changes and transitions: People's lives change over time, such as moving to new locations, changing jobs, or going through other significant life transitions. These changes can impact the number and nature of close friendships.
Natural social circles: People often have different social circles, such as work colleagues, school friends, and childhood friends. Each of these circles might have a few close friends, leading to a relatively small overall number.
It's important to note that the quality of friendships matters more than the quantity. Having a few close and genuine friends can be incredibly fulfilling and emotionally supportive. It's not necessary to have a large number of friends to lead a happy and meaningful life.
As social beings, humans do benefit from social connections, and friendships provide essential emotional support and companionship. However, the number of close friends is influenced by individual preferences, circumstances, and the effort one puts into nurturing those relationships.