a dedicated introvert's take on the value of friendships

As a dedicated introvert, I don’t have a huge circle of friends.  This does not, however, mean that I am lonely. 

The friends I do have, my nearest and dearest, are the ones I “do nothing” with.  The ones who come with me to Bunnings because I need a hose connector, or go to Woolies just to complain about the price of bananas or chat about nothing of consequence whilst leaning on our trollies (never blocking the aisles though, I promise!).

Apparently, we are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic.  So much so that in 2021 the UK government created a new cabinet position – the Minister for Loneliness.  What a depressing and perplexing development in a world where we have more people living on the planet than ever before! Why is this, do you think?

I don’t remember feeling immensely lonely when I was young, although it seems that women aged 15-24 are the ones feeling the loneliest.  I have always felt that women require more depth to friendships than men.  I wonder whether it's the quality of friendship, rather than lack of connection entirely that is the issue.  People seem to have so many “friends” on social media, but are these "friends" diluting the authenticity of true connection?

With that in mind, I think it’s the perfect time to pick up a pack of Scotch Fingers, visit my favourite peeps, and do absolutely nothing together for a while.

meg.