Ways to rekindle lost adult friendships

Lives completely change after the pandemic. Rather than meeting in person, people began talking to each other via video calls and text messages. Some friendships were lost, while some flourished. Sustaining a friendship through life’s various obstacles is indeed a huge task. Friendships get impacted by a number of factors that include daily life schedules and tending to family members, work etc. Bumble’s Relationship Expert, Shahzeen Shivdasani has some great tips on how one can rekindle lost adult friendships. Let’s take a look at them.

When you're ready to reach out, what you say isn't as important as making the effort in the first place. You should check in with someone by asking about them or providing a life update of your own. This conveys the value and importance of friendship. And if you want, offer an explanation about why you weren’t available back then.

Make the effort to reach out and show them that you respect their space. Do not expect them to jump back into reconnecting. Instead, respect the pace they set to reconnect with you if they want to.

Plan to get together in person or a virtual catch-up once you’re both comfortable. While you can hang out in groups and still enjoy each other's company, real bonding happens when you open up to one another when it’s just the two of you. This is also how some friendships grow into deeper bonds.

All relationships require effort and that includes friendships as well. If you manage to rekindle your friendship, be mindful of the reasons why they fell apart in the first place. You also need to be honest when communicating with your friends.

If your best efforts to rekindle a friendship go unsuccessful, accept the loss. Resist the urge to put any pressure on your friend to revive the relationship. All you can do is express your sincere desire to reconnect and hope the gesture is reciprocated. If not, perhaps it’s time to move on.

If you are willing to enter a new circle or find new friends, you have to mingle. You have to step out of your comfort zone and meet different kinds of people. Bumble’s India Communications Director, Samarpita Samaddar says, “social connections play a vital role in the human experience, and strong relationships are key to a happy and healthy life. Studies suggest that 34% of Indian adults want to expand their circle of friends and many people in India are now opening up to finding friends virtually.”

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