Contrary to popular belief, the greatest concern upon entering middle age is not financial. A comprehensive report from The Guardian and AOL, based on surveys of psychologists in England, the US, and Australia, indicates that the biggest regret for people in their 40s is the loss of close friendships from their youth.

Most individuals dedicate the 28-38 age range to building their careers and families. In this busy list of priorities, friendships often fall to the bottom.

This breakdown typically doesn't stem from conflict or betrayal but occurs silently. It manifests as forgotten messages, cancelled appointments that are never rescheduled. By the time people reach their 40s and look back, reconnecting suddenly feels awkward, carrying a sense of "no longer belonging together".

Illustration: Mo-issa.

Therapists note that men often face greater difficulty maintaining connections. Many 40-year-old men have families and colleagues but lack a single close friend.

They only recognize the fragility of their emotional support system when confronting crises like illness, job loss, or marital breakdown. Losing friendships in middle age is not just an emotional void; social isolation also poses a direct risk to physical health.

In psychological counseling practice, many people's biggest regret is not realizing sooner that friendships require intentional care, just like marriages or careers. Nurturing these bonds starts with small gestures: a "thinking of you" message, a check-in call, or simply being present during difficult times.

Research published in the journal Nature Communications Psychology indicates that while people often feel hesitant to reconnect with old friends, most are actually delighted to receive messages from long-lost acquaintances.

To mend lost relationships, experts suggest:

Overcome fear: Don't let guilt over lost contact deter you. Start with an open mindset.

Avoid hollow apologies: Ms. Gillian Butler of the British Psychological Society advises against starting with "I'm sorry" as it can create distance. Instead, be genuine: "I've been thinking of you."

Be brief and direct: Avoid lengthy explanations about the past. Keep the message simple, acknowledge that busy lives got in the way, and express a strong desire to meet again.

Replace vague invitations: If you're about to type "Let's grab coffee sometime," delete it and replace it with a specific time and place proposal.

Finally, experts advise against over-reliance on social media. Liking posts cannot replace direct conversations. Old friends understand your history and the challenges you've faced – this is an invaluable asset for the second half of life.

Nhat Minh (Source: Koreatimes, Guardian, AOL)