It’s important to have close friends for numerous reasons. However, for varying circumstances like moving around a lot or a few other kids nearby, people don’t always grow up with a large social circle, even a few besties. Unsurprisingly, growing up solitary can shape who someone becomes. Here are 10 common traits in people who experienced an isolated childhood.
1. No Close Friends Means Independence
While socializing with others infrequently can seem lonely to people who are used to large social circles, people who grew up with few to no close friends are often better at entertaining themselves. They’re independent and content to do a quiet activity on their own like reading a book or doing crafts.
2. Independence Includes Self-Sufficiency
In many cases, people don’t have others to rely on for help when they grow up with few close friends. As a result, they learn early on how to accomplish tasks on their own.
3. Few Close Friends Often Makes People Adaptable
Interestingly, people with many close friends growing up prefer routine. Meanwhile, people who grew up independently can adapt to changing circumstances.
4. They’re more Introverted
People who grew up with fewer people in their social circle also feel more comfortable in smaller groups. They often keep to themselves or leave parties earlier than others. Additionally, they need more downtime to recharge between interactions than people who identify as extroverts.
5. They Prefer Animals Over People
People who grew up with fewer close friends often feel a kinship to wildlife. They were closer to family pets or spent most of their time in nature surrounded by critters.
6. Fear of Exclusion
In some cases, people grew up feeling isolated because they were excluded or bullied. As a result, they have more insecurities regarding being excluded and are more sensitive to feeling rejected.
7. Fewer Close Friends Impact Trust
Growing up with fewer close friends may lead people to question the intentions of others or be apprehensive about opening up to them and be vulnerable.
8. They’re Authentic
Fewer close friends also mean that people are less concerned about the opinions of others. As such, they’re unapologetically themselves.
9. They Struggle to Make Friends
Making friends in adulthood is often more challenging for people who didn’t have many friends growing up because they struggle to relate to others or have less social and emotional awareness than people who’ve spent a lot of time in large social settings.
10. They Mature Faster
Children’s brains act as sponges, absorbing everything and picking up the habits of those around them. As a result, those with fewer close friends in childhood were likely to mimic adult behavior patterns early on because they were primarily influenced by adults, according to A Conscious Rethink.
Social Beings
Humans are widely considered social beings who thrive in large social circles. However, some people are introverted and prefer to be alone. Whether it’s because they have been let down by others or have moved around too often to develop meaningful bonds, growing up with few to no close friends shapes who someone becomes.