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Post-college Friendships

Hi. So I don't know how normal or trite this is, but hey, it's been bothering me. I just returned from a year abroad teaching English. I left a few months after graduating. It was something I'd wanted to do for a while, because I had the travel bug and never got to study abroad. I went for a year because I thought it would take that long to know the culture, because it would give me time to see the world...reasons like that.

Well, the year didn't go as I expected, but I still got to escape the rat race for a while. And it changed me. But it was hard, and let's just say that daily life wasn't a vacation. So when I came back, I was expecting support -- or at the very least, some fun -- reuniting with old friends. But so far, the people I was closest to, I haven't even heard from. Of course I know everyone's had their separate lives and been working, busy with new jobs and responsibilities, friends, girlfriends over the past year. But does it make any sense that after only a year, people lose touch completely? I tried to keep in contact with emails and such while I was away. I got to see some incredible places, do things I never did before, and it's not like I was expecting people to sit through slideshows (which I myself hate...) but to not even write? Or call? Most of them know I'm back.

So, hah, there's my story. It feels weird and abnormal and it makes coming home a hell of a lot harder. Is this freakishly weird or something.
Do you think it's normal?
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Comments (6)
Bag (911)
2005-12-27 15:56:36
Lonely
This pesky user has been removed for repeatedly abusing other users and being a pain in the butt. Behave or you will suffer the same fate. - The Management
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Sweettls (1133)
2005-12-28 11:48:05
Maybe, some of these were not "true friends", as long as your not flaunting what you did and expecting them to be knocking your door down. Your real friends will be back in no time.
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marclesparcle (1000)
2005-12-30 16:01:58
Call them!
Did you call them? they probably not forgotten you, but got used to you not being around. I say call them, invite them out or something.
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pie1985 (720)
2006-01-05 16:38:25
unfortunate
but its worse when they actually live close to you and dont bother their arse at all,
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Amblyn (1293)
2006-01-30 08:34:56
@: Bag
time abroad
Hi Ashlyn. I too left friends, work, job, to travel for a year, and unfortunately, not that 'friends' would own up to it, but they have not been able to escape their day-to-day lives. You have. You've had experiences, your perceptions have changed, you're a new you. Even my family were asses. It seems to be human nature that it is the exception that people are truly happy for your good-will in life. The greatest attribute each of us can have and give in life is forgiveness. and not judge. These people are the ones that rush to you and embrace you, pushing all aside to make food and listen to your stories, getting as excited as you are at the things you have experienced. a new bond is formed.
Welcome home Ashlyn!! Big Hugs!!
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Anonymous
2006-06-24 03:27:38
yeh, maybe u should call them, and invite them out. it is possible, that they think you have changed, and that you are not interested in keeping up old friendships. Having said that, if they do not respond, then you have to move on with your life, and forget them. maybe they weren't real friends!
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