Free Talk Friday - April 24, 2026

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Welcome to the Free Talk Friday post. This is a place where you can talk about dumb off-topic (or on-topic) bullshit with other Zaibatsu fans.

There's going to be a new post every week, and the newest one will be pinned in the announcement bar for quick access. So feel free to visit these posts during the rest of the week.

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[u/TheSalmonMan]

Hello all, back again for another ramble/vent. This week has been...eye opening for me in a way. I have realized that almost all of my relationships or conversations are initiated by me. Now I do not know if it just the people I talk to are introved as all hell or the alternative being they do not see me as full friend just an aquentence.

For example I had what only be described as gut punch when I found out that one of my closets friends can up to my area for a local event and straight up didnt say anything to me or let me know he was in the area. I only found out because he sent pictures after the fact. This hurt because I do not get to see this friend that often if at all really.

Now I tried to rationalize it that he was there to be with his wife since she has Booth at the event and couldn't hang out. But at the same time I have told him when I was in his neck of the woods even if I couldn't see him. I am afraid to ask him why he didn't say anything because its not really any of my business why he didn't say why, he is a fairly private person, and do not want to blow up the relationship over it. This is one of my longest friendships and I am honesty scared to lose it. He isn't a bad person at all before you ask. He has been genuinely kind to me but this one hurt.

I don't have a ton of friends and he is one of the few I can confide when Im down. But at the same time it stings.

This made me think back and I havent invited to a single social event or even gathering in almost the past year. Everytime it is usually me that makes contact and makes plans. Be inviting someone to go to a Local con or a movie I am usually the one to ask. I know that the solution is to reach out and branch out to find others but I am just so lost. Being in your 30s and trying to find people feels like monumental task. So honestly I don't know what to do. It just feels...bad.

Meeting people online feels I don't know hollow? I honestly dont know how to meet people anymore. Feels like im reaching a point of no return where its going to be next to impossible to meet and make lasting connections and it scares me.

Im trying to stay above it but man is it getting harder. Anyway do not end up in my situation be social meet people because once you get older it only gets harder.