Reconnecting with old friends holds immense significance for me, especially in midlife. As we reflect on the timeline of our lives, including the friendships we’ve cherished, it becomes clear that we must make deliberate choices about who we invest our time in as we age. Have you ever had a long-overdue lunch with someone, only to exclaim, “We should have done this sooner”? That’s precisely how I feel in my fifties today, though I’m not surprised that we lost touch. Life happened—we had bills to pay, careers to nurture, and children to raise. There were marriages to navigate, divorces to endure, and a plethora of experiences that shaped us. Now that things are settling down, I see it as a genuine opportunity to reconnect with those who played pivotal roles in my life.
Gen X, we are the first generation to truly be able to do so due to technology!
Adulthood and Friendships
During childhood, we learn the art of growth and survival. Adulthood, on the other hand, often feels like an endless journey. From college graduations to landing our first jobs, we navigate through a whirlwind of changes. Amidst it all, we forge friendships that have the potential to last a lifetime, as my husband and I did during our careers. However, life’s demands often pull us in different directions once we leave those jobs. Even though our friendships were solid, days turned into weeks, months into years, especially as we focused on raising our family.
Changing Circle of Friends
The realization that our circle of friends evolves throughout our lives was a profound one for me. While I have childhood friends whom I still keep in touch with, they too have traversed through life’s journey. Many of us cling to the way things used to be, resisting the natural ebb and flow of relationships. However, midlife presents us with a unique opportunity to reconnect and realign our priorities.
Reconnecting with Friends Through Technology
Generation X is perhaps the first generation to fully leverage technology and the power of social media for reconnecting with old friends. We were early adopters of cell phones, computers, Facebook, and later, Instagram. As a result, reaching out to a friend via text or email is as simple as a few taps on a screen.
Soul Searching
My husband, Rikard, and I have had numerous “what’s next” conversations, from contemplating downsizing to envisioning how we want to spend our days. Amidst these discussions, our friendships—especially those forged during our days at Ericsson—stood out prominently. While some friends are now scattered across the globe, we have a core group nearby. We decided to reach out, one friend at a time. The result? More laughter, deeper conversations, and a rekindling of authentic connections established two decades ago. How do we want to spend the rest of our time? With more of them, please. It will require effort, but with more time on our hands, I am confident we can make it work. Joy resides in these connections.
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