First post in here, just reading through the last 2 pages and figured id throw something up, here goes:
I feel like outside of my wife and family (which im very blessed to have an amazing wife and family) I have a hard time being heard. Occasionally with co workers, but more specifically my skate friends. What I mean is, any time I express an opinion, contribute to a conversation I feel ignored. If I want to be heard I feel like I have to repeat myself several times, and even still no one seems to care. Ive felt it for as far back as 10 years ago, which was when my core group of buddies I started skating with started to disband. I have tons of "friends" and I quote that because I guess what it really means is I know a ton of people but I wouldn't consider myself close with them or hang out with them outside of bumping into them at the local DIY or random street spot. Lots of people have mentioned disassociation which is kind of where I have gotten too. Maybe it sounds a bit petty, but I don't want to spend my finite free time with people I do not enjoy being around or I feel do not value my presence.
I also agree with the having 2-3 good friends over 30 is a blessing. My brother is my best friend (also skates) but due to our work schedules we basically never see each other but usually talk at least once a week. I have another good friend who I wish I could hang out with more but he's got a job, wife kids and we usually only see each other once every 1-3 months. I had someone I considered a good friend, but he got into a relationship and just disappeared. I made an effort for a bit to link up and skate or kick it but would bail last minute every time. I can only deal with getting flaked on so many times before I stop putting in effort. Stopped hitting him up and haven't heard from him in like 8 months, don't really expect to either.
Sometimes I do feel a little down about not having any real friends. To be honest tho, I never put in any effort into making friends or trying to link up with people to skate. Like I said I know a ton of skaters in my area and Im cool with all them, but I've always felt self conscious for some stupid reason about hitting people up to skate or even asking for phone numbers haha. I'd just rather go skate the ledge spot right by the house by myself for an hour or two than hit people up, drive 45 minutes to skate a spot im not that stoked on. Idk im the grinch I guess haha.