“I Don’t Need Friends”: Reasons Why You’re Thinking Like This (And How To Cope)

Did you know that in a survey it was found that 22% of millennials have no friends? While it’s common to think, “I don’t have friends,” it can differ a lot when you think, “I don’t need friends”.

There could be many reasons why you don’t need friends. Maybe your friendships don’t offer the safety and value they used to anymore. Or maybe you’ve begun to think that when you’re with family, you don’t need the support of friends.

It’s okay. Whatever your reasons for not wanting or desiring friends, you need to think about the potential benefits having friends can have on your overall wellness. Here, I’ll be exploring the reasons why you’re thinking, “I don’t need friends” and how to move on if you’re seeking a new friendship.

Why Do You Feel You Don’t Need Friends?

If you’re here and thinking you don’t need friends in life, some reasons might be driving your thinking.

1. You Crave Solitude: Maybe you’re an introvert who prefers solitude over having friends. Or maybe you just crave solitude, whether you’re an introvert or not.

2. You’re Scared Of Disappointments: Expectations not only come in relationships but in friendships as well. Maybe you’re scared that your friend may not live up to your expectations and you’re just scared of being disappointed, again.

3. Your Family Is Supportive: If your family is supportive then you might not feel the need to have friends. If you receive the care (emotional, mental, etc) from your family members, then this could be another factor of your thinking.

4. You’re Scared Of Getting Hurt: If you’ve been hurt in the past by a friend, then you may have trust issues that might be preventing you from having close friendships.

5. You’re Always Busy: Not only relationships but friendships also take a lot of effort and time. If you’re constantly busy or overworked then you may not be able to give time to your friendship, preventing you from forming one too.

Do We Need Friends?

Many people say that they have no friends and while it is common, doesn’t mean it is always a positive thing. Did you know that 27% of millennials report that they have no close friends? 16% of GenX while 9% of Baby Boomers have reported that they have no friends?

In a 2021 survey, it was found that 49% of adults reported having one to three close friends or social support.

More and more young people have been found to have no or less than three friends. Reasons for this result are not clear but it can be speculated that increased use of social media and internet interactions may be a good cause.

Friendships are healthy, not only for your social health but for your emotional health as well. If you don’t have friends, it can contribute to an increased risk of depression and loneliness.

In another survey, it was reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 60% of adults said that they’ve lost touch with their friends.

How Friendships Can Benefit Us?

Having strong and healthy social support can be crucial for your overall well-being. Even if you feel that you don’t need friends, having social support can mean less stress and less anxiety. Having a good friendship can also help in boosting your physical health and lower the risk of chronic loneliness.

Friends can also play a huge role in offering emotional support, validating emotions, actively listening to your problems, and providing support to make you feel better and happier. People with strong and healthy friendships are also reported with high resilience skills.

Also, were you aware that having friends can also help bring a sense of purpose and connection to your life? Well, now you do!

What If I Don’t Need Friends?

It’s OKAY! If you don’t need friends. While friendships can be important for better well-being, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need friends to feel happy. Whatever your reasons for not needing friends, in the end, it all comes down to your perspective and decision.

If you’re happy without a gaggle of friends in your life, then good for you! I mean, having friends may have its benefits but then so does solitude! Spending time with yourself can be good for you as it can give you time to focus inwards.

If you’re truly happy without having friends, then good for you, however, if your lack of friends is making you feel lonely and isolated then maybe it’s time to find new friends or reach out to a professional for help.

Want To Form New Friendships?

Who knows? Maybe you don’t need friends to be happy but having some social support can help you when you truly need care and support. No matter what, at the end of the day, we’re social creatures and we thrive when we can connect with others.

If you’ve decided to seek new bonds and friendships, here are some tips to help you out!

1. Volunteer: Find a cause or an institution where you’d like to give your services. Pick a cause that you care about and spend time working towards (or with) them. Volunteering is a good way to meet new people and sate your interests.

2. Find A New Hobby: Another interesting way to meet new people is to follow your interests and find a new hobby. You can do this by finding a class or joining a group that matches your interests. For example, join a cooking class, go on a group hike, or volunteer at the library.

3. Work Friends Also Count: Did you know that almost 50% of adults report meeting friends at their workplace? Well, shared space, time, and experiences can contribute to some strong friendships.

Making friends as adults can be difficult as it takes a lot of effort, time, and willingness to put yourself out there, mentally and emotionally. But once you do, some bonds that form can be rewarding.

Friendships offer a unique kind of benefit but to be happy, you don’t always need friends. It all comes down to your choice, perspective, and comfortability. If loneliness is eating away at your mental and emotional health, then it is recommended you seek social support or professional help.

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We all need social contact from time to time and while some people may find their comfort from their family, some may turn to their friends for support. Whatever you choose, it’s OK. After all, it’s a matter of your mental and emotional health. Follow your instincts, always.

“Sometimes you meet a person and you just click—you’re comfortable with them, like you’ve known them your whole life, and you don’t have to pretend to be anyone or anything.” – Unknown

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Take care!