Loneliness is rising. Here's how to reconnect with old friends

"When Jennifer Austin met Molly in second grade, they quickly became best friends. They giggled through classes until the teacher separated them, inspiring them to come up with their own language. They shared sleepovers and went on each other's family vacations. But they gradually drifted apart after Austin's family moved to Germany before the girls started high school. Decades passed before they recently reconnected as grown women."

"But as adults take on jobs and the responsibilities of homes and families, it can be challenging to stay connected with everyone we've loved. Technology plays a role, too. Loneliness has increased since the television was invented and intensified with the introduction of smartphones, according to psychologist Marisa Franco, a University of Maryland assistant clinical professor and author of "Platonic," a book about the science of attachment."

""People are delighted to hear from their old friends and open to connections," she said. Franco suggests reminiscing about a shared memory to span the time and distance. It can be something as simple as, "This pic came up and I just realized I wanted to check in on you," she said. Propose a meetup. If the friend lives far away, try scheduling a phone date to catch up."

Two childhood friends formed a close bond through shared secrets, sleepovers and family vacations, then drifted apart when one family moved abroad and later reconnected as adults. Strong friendships can survive long pauses and fading contact, lingering like a small light even after decades. Early friendships often provide deep knowledge, comfort and identity. Adult responsibilities, geographic distance and technology-driven changes have made staying connected more difficult and contributed to rising loneliness. Many people welcome reconnection, and simple outreach that recalls a shared memory or proposes a meetup or phone date can successfully bridge time and distance.

Read at Fast Company