FRIENDSHIP
Don’t MIND THE GAP
When you form a friendship that’s based on mutual interests and shared values, age becomes just a number, opening you to the potential of new experiences and a fresh perspective, writes Caroline Butterwick
IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES
Expert advice
Dr Marianne Trent is a psychologist, the founder of Good Thinking Psychological Services, and author of ‘The Grief Collective’ (£10.99). goodthinking psychology.co.uk
Carole Ann Rice is a life coach, author, columnist, and MD of the Pure Coaching Academy. realcoachingco.com
Sitting in our favourite coffee shop, my friend Yvette and I are putting the world to rights. We used to work together – she was my manager at my first proper job after university – and since we both left that workplace, we’ve grown even closer, bonding over a shared love of strong coffee, feminism, and Fleetwood Mac. We have so much in common, and can natter for hours.
She’s also around 40 years older than me. But the age gap doesn’t matter – if anything, it brings an extra dimension to our friendship. While some people stick to forming friendships with those of a similar age to them, reaching out and connecting with others who aren’t in the same age bracket as us can bring so much joy. It can show us fresh perspectives and open us to new experiences, and also influence the way we feel about ourselves and our place in the world.