There are several reasons why it can be challenging for people in their 20s to transcend their college friends and develop new circles of friends:
Time Constraints: In your 20s, many people are focused on building their careers or pursuing higher education. This leaves limited time for socializing and meeting new people, making it harder to form new friendships.
Lack of Proximity: In college, friends are often in close physical proximity due to shared living spaces or being part of the same campus community. After college, people disperse to different cities and locations, making it more difficult to maintain the same level of closeness.
Change in Priorities: After college, priorities often shift. People may be more focused on their individual goals, and forming new friendships may not be a top priority compared to their career or personal pursuits.
Established Social Circles: As people grow older, they tend to have more established social circles. It can be intimidating for someone in their 20s to enter a new social group where people have already established close bonds and shared experiences.
Social Anxiety: Some individuals may experience social anxiety or shyness, which can make it challenging to put themselves out there and meet new people.
Technology and Social Media: Paradoxically, while technology connects people in some ways, it can also contribute to social isolation. People may feel more comfortable interacting online rather than in-person, which can hinder the development of new friendships.
Trust and Intimacy: As people grow older, they may become more selective about their friendships and seek deeper connections. Building trust and intimacy with new friends takes time, and it can be harder to establish such connections as adults.
Preconceived Notions: Some individuals may carry preconceived notions about forming new friendships as adults. They might believe that it's more challenging or that they won't find friends who share their interests and values.
Comfort with Familiarity: College friends are often part of formative experiences, creating a deep sense of comfort and familiarity. It can be challenging to recreate this level of closeness with new friends.
Work-Life Balance: Balancing work and personal life in your 20s can be demanding, leaving little energy for socializing and expanding your social circle.
Despite these challenges, it is essential to recognize the value of forming new friendships and investing in social connections outside of college. Joining clubs, hobby groups, sports teams, or volunteering in the community can be great ways to meet new people with shared interests. It may require effort and patience, but building new friendships as an adult is possible and can lead to fulfilling and meaningful relationships.