So what can account for the big friendship shift that seems to occur once you hit your third or fourth decade? According to Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, the answer is simple: life.

“More often than not, friendships end because of this gradual distancing process that happens.” To help you navigate this tough time, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer shares six tips for how to deal.

It can be disorienting to feel you’re back at square one with a person you already have a shared history with. Here’s some help from connection experts like Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

“The best case scenario is you plan ahead for these situations so you’re not chasing after your friends later,” said Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

“It’s not uncommon for friends to feel as though they don’t have enough time to spend with each other or that they miss the days when their conversations were not dominated by wedding updates," says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

Therapist and friendship researcher Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, says over time, it gets harder for adults to form meaningful friendships.

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, a therapist and friendship researcher, suggests being clear about your limits when you’re feeling frenzied.

When it comes to letting go of a friend, we hesitate—not knowing how to break the news. But this further prolongs the discomfort, explains Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, a therapist and friendship expert, says connecting with people at work can also impact our mood, stress levels, and risks of burning out.

"When we talk about toxic friendships, we are typically referring to a more stable pattern or way of relating, as opposed to a one-time thing or more transient conflict," says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

"If a friend repeatedly expects us to be there for them but doesn't give us anything substantial in return, it’s a sign the friendship is unhealthy and might need to be re-evaluated," says researcher Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

“A sense of belonging and togetherness is a fundamental human need that we have,” says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer. So when you’re thinking about what you want more of in 2024, don’t forget about connection.

Here, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer shares how to build deeper bonds in your current relationships and start brand new ones that bring meaning, support, and a whole lot of value to your life.

“Putting yourself out there and being vulnerable to make new friends can be especially tough for new moms,” says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

It’s easy to shake off someone’s self-critical comment and move the conversation to lighter things. But if you never dig deeper, you won’t get to the root of those comments or help your bud feel understood, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

If you feel like the good-time friend, that’s not always a bad thing, but see if you have any other connections that allow you to be vulnerable and feel more balanced, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer suggests.