Everything Has a Life Cycle. Keep Moving On.

It’s easy to get attached to the people we spend time with, whether it's a group of friends, colleagues, or the folks you see at your local condo meetups. It’s comfortable and familiar. But there’s a reality that no one really talks about—groups don’t last forever. They naturally have a life cycle.

People change, circumstances shift, and sometimes you find yourself drifting away from what used to feel like a constant part of your life. That’s completely normal, and it’s nothing to be stressed about.

Groups Naturally Come and Go

Think about all the groups you’ve been a part of over the years. Back in school, you probably had a tight-knit group of friends. Maybe there was a sports team you were close with or a club that met regularly. At the time, those connections seemed like they would last forever. But as people moved away, changed jobs, or started families, things gradually shifted.

• Your work friends may seem like the center of your social life now, but as people get promoted or switch jobs, those relationships can start to fade.
• Friend groups tend to evolve as people take different paths. Someone gets into a serious relationship, another person moves to a new city, and suddenly you’re not seeing them as often as you used to.
• Even casual groups, like those formed around a condo association or hobby, change as people’s interests shift or they simply move out of the building.

It’s completely normal for these shifts to happen, and it’s not a reflection of how much the group mattered or how real the connection was at the time. It just means that things are changing, and that’s okay.

Why Change Is Inevitable

The people in your life, including yourself, are constantly evolving. Think about how different your priorities are now compared to just a few years ago. The same goes for everyone else. Interests change, new responsibilities pop up, and life moves forward.

• You might start a new job and suddenly find yourself with a whole new group of colleagues that you see every day. Over time, your old work friends become less central to your daily life.
• Moving to a new city or even a different neighborhood often shifts your focus toward new people and new experiences.
• Changes in relationships can also shift the dynamics of your group. Maybe someone gets into a serious relationship and their time is more limited, or someone else has kids and their priorities shift toward family life.

It’s not about anyone leaving the group intentionally or cutting ties. People just naturally drift apart as their lives take them in different directions. Accepting this makes it easier to appreciate the moments you have with your current group without holding on too tightly when things begin to change.

Finding New Groups Is Part of the Cycle

When one group starts to fade, that doesn't mean you're left out in the cold. In fact, it's usually an opportunity to find new groups that match where you are in life now. Each new phase brings new people who share similar interests, goals, and experiences.

• When you switch jobs, the relationships you form with your new colleagues could open the door to fresh connections. You’ll probably have new things in common and start spending time with them naturally.
• Moving to a different city give you the chance to connect with new people, from neighbors to local hobby groups, and this can lead to unexpected friendships.
• Even online communities or casual meetups focused around hobbies or shared interests can introduce you to people you wouldn’t have met otherwise.

The beauty of this cycle is that you're always growing, and the people you meet along the way often reflect that growth. Old groups fade, but new ones always come along, and they’re often more aligned with who you are at that point in your life.

Letting Go When It’s Time

It’s easy to hold onto a group long past the point where it’s fulfilling or even enjoyable. Sometimes we cling to what’s familiar because we fear losing that sense of belonging. But sticking with a group just for the sake of keeping things the same often leads to frustration. Relationships can start to feel like an obligation rather than a source of joy or comfort.

• You might find that conversations with certain friends feel repetitive, with no one really listening to or connecting with each other the way they used to.
• When the dynamic in the group has changed so much that it feels like you’re the only one trying to hold it together, that’s a sign it’s time to move on.
• It’s also okay to acknowledge that sometimes you just grow apart from people, even if nothing dramatic happens. Friendships that used to thrive on shared experiences no longer resonate in the same way.

Letting go of a group doesn't mean erasing the memories or pretending it didn’t matter. It’s more about recognizing when something has run its course and allowing space for new experiences and new connections.

Accepting the Temporary Nature of Groups

When you stop expecting a group to last forever, it becomes easier to enjoy it while it’s there. You’re not constantly worrying about keeping things the same, and you don’t feel the need to force connections that are naturally fading. Accepting the temporary nature of groups allows you to stay present in the relationships that matter now, while staying open to whatever comes next.

• You’ll find that friendships and group dynamics are much more relaxed when there’s no pressure for them to last a lifetime.
• If you’re open to the idea of people coming and going in your life, you won’t feel as anxious when things shift, because you'll know new connections will come.
• You’ll also learn to cherish the time you have with a group without worrying too much about the future. Being fully present in the moment with your current group lets you appreciate it for what it is right now.

By seeing group connections as a series of evolving experiences rather than something that must be held onto forever, you allow yourself to grow and change alongside the people around you.

Moving Forward Without Regret

At some point, we all look back and think about the groups we used to be part of—old friends from school, coworkers from a previous job, or even casual groups from the gym. It’s natural to reminisce, but it’s also important not to get stuck in nostalgia. Each group played a role in your life at the time, but they don’t have to be part of your future.

• Instead of focusing on what’s lost, think about what each group taught you and how it shaped you.
• It’s healthy to look back with appreciation for the time spent together, while acknowledging that life has moved on and so have you.
• Moving forward without regret allows you to remain open to new people and new experiences, knowing that each one serves a purpose, even if only for a short while.

There’s no need to hold onto something that no longer fits where you are in life. Moving forward and finding new groups to connect with is a natural part of growth.

Groups, like everything else, have a life cycle. They’re there when you need them, and when they fade away, something else always comes along to take their place. It’s not about clinging to what was, but about making room for what’s coming next. There’s a rhythm to this cycle, and learning to flow with it makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don’t worry if things change—they’re supposed to.