Over the years, many friendships are transformed. Those friendships for which we could put our "hands on fire once" can turn into relationships with little or no commitment, where daily contact is not required.
But is this a sign that the friendship is adjusting to the new reality of your life or is your friend avoiding you on purpose? Sometimes, these so-called "friendships without much commitment" can be completely healthy, but at other times they can simply serve to mask indifference or a lack of commitment.
What are "non-committal" friendships?
A low-commitment friendship is one where you can go weeks or months without talking, and when you finally meet, it's like no time has passed at all. It could be a quick text every now and then, a meme shared on Whatsapp, or a casual phone call to catch up on each other's lives. Such friendships are convenient for people with busy schedules, but the question often arises: Are we using this lack of commitment as an excuse to stop committing to our friendships?
When does lack of commitment become a problem?
Example: Remember a friend with whom you spent golden periods of your life. You have always been close, but lately, your friend has become less present. He no longer texts you, shows no interest in your activities, and when you try to arrange a meeting, there is always a last second excuse. You start to feel neglected and wonder if this is just a temporary phase or a sign that the social relationship is fading.
While in some cases, these behaviors may be a sign that your friend is going through a busy period, in others they may indicate that he or she is neglecting you without realizing it. Sometimes it's hard to tell, as we too are in the midst of our busy routines and may not realize that the friendship has become somewhat one-sided.
Are you using "uncommitted friendship" as an excuse for indifference?
There are times when people justify the distance by considering it as a mature and balanced friendship, when in reality they are neglecting the relationship. For example, if you always wait for the other person to initiate contact and don't try to get involved by starting the conversation yourself, then this shows a lack of effort on your part.
Friendships, like any other relationship, require nurturing. They must be 'nourished' by shared time, with mutual care and commitment. If you're always the person who makes the effort to keep the friendship alive, or if you notice that your friend no longer invests time or energy in the relationship, it may be time to reflect on the value of that friendship.
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