“It was equivalent to Mean Girls, only these are women in their 40s“

"We were shooting hoops and they were all incredibly supportive and encouraging to each other. They actually seemed to care about each other. The friend group I grew with is incredibly competitive and are constantly putting each other down, calling each other slurs, even if its just 'a joke'. Realised after 20 years what a friend group is actually supposed to be like."

"Also started noticing they'd invite me to things less and less, never texted me first, and only responded if I had tea. Sometimes the only reason people are friends with you is proximity. For reference, I looked it up and the closest friend was a 20 min drive and farthest was 35 min. 

The disappointment was from the times we'd take road trips to visit each other when we were in different colleges and how post-graduation the friendships faded so fast. I value the good times we all had and keep them all on FB, but it is disappointing that someone you were so close to never checks in anymore unless there's gossip."

"I knew I would have to avoid a certain friend group (very much drink-related activities). I did tell one friend from that group. She complained about my not drinking for almost eleven months.

In December 2025 we were to have lunch at a local café. She wanted two sweet things on the limited menu (four things to choose from), and knew it would be too much, so she wanted us to share. I don't care for sweets, so I declined. She exploded, losing her temper and raising her voice. I honestly think she was angry that she could no longer drink at lunch with me (we often overdid it).

This took place months ago, and if I had received ANY message from her I would have chalked it down to a bad day. Now I realise it was the not drinking, and that she lost her temper in a tiny venue."