Friendship change or loss is something that we rarely talk about enough during our 40s and 50s. We often feel guilty when we realize we are outgrowing the people we used to spend our time with, or we wonder why we simply don't have the same energy to maintain our social circles. 

In this episode, let's talk about the complicated evolution of midlife friendships. Shifts are happening as our kids grow up, after the pandemic, and even as hormone changes happen. I finally learned to evaluate which relationships were uplifting and which were actually draining my energy. If you've been wondering why you just don't have the bandwidth for certain friends anymore, this episode will give you the permission you need to let go gracefully and without guilt. 

What You’ll Learn:

The Midlife Friendship Shift: How kids getting older, moving out, and changes in post-COVID life naturally alter the people we spend time with 

The Hormone Factor: Why dropping levels of estrogen and oxytocin can make you biologically less inclined to nurture as many relationships 

The Zero Tolerance Milestone: How recognizing your time and energy as limited resources empowers you to stop shrinking yourself in imbalanced friendships 

Evaluating Your Inner Circle: A simple, judgment-free method to check how you truly feel—before, during, and after—spending time with a friend 

Gracefully Letting Go: The difference between taking a friendship "breather" due to circumstances versus moving on using "warm detachment" 

Links & Resources:

Vitamin G Sponsor: Use code MINDYOURMIDLIFE for 10% off at CherylPFischer.com/vitaminG

Coaching: Midlife Recharge: CherylPFischer.com/recharge

 Episode 61: Mahjong in Midlife

Podcast Sponsorship Info: CherylPFischer.com/mymsponsorinfo

Why This Episode Matters

By dropping the guilt and honestly evaluating how your friendships make you feel, you can completely change your social circle to one that truly supports you. 

Take a little bit better care of yourself in midlife.

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 - The Friendship Question In Midlife
00:00:57 - Sponsor Break Vitamin G
00:01:33 - Why Friendships Change With Kids
00:03:59 - COVID And Moving Disrupt Connections
00:07:12 - Hormones And The Zero Tolerance Shift
00:11:55 - Trying To Fit In As A Mom
00:14:03 - The Before During After Feelings Test
00:18:22 - Space Or Over Signs Of Imbalance
00:22:12 - Fade Out Or Have The Talk
00:26:31 - Guilt And Disenfranchised Grief
00:28:11 - Group Friends And Warm Detachment
00:31:18 - Making Room For Better Community
00:32:20 - Coaching Invite And Closing Notes

00:00 The Friendship Question In Midlife
00:57 Sponsor Break Vitamin G
01:33 Why Friendships Change With Kids
03:59 COVID And Moving Disrupt Connections
07:12 Hormones And The Zero Tolerance Shift
11:55 Trying To Fit In As A Mom
14:03 The Before During After Feelings Test
18:22 Space Or Over Signs Of Imbalance
22:12 Fade Out Or Have The Talk
26:31 Guilt And Disenfranchised Grief
28:11 Group Friends And Warm Detachment
31:18 Making Room For Better Community
32:20 Coaching Invite And Closing Notes