Platonic friendships

Lately, I’ve been thinking… is it just me, or does it feel harder to form purely platonic friendships with the opposite sex at this age?

Am I overthinking this?

I get that what’s “normal” can vary a lot. But I can’t help but wonder—are platonic friendships between men and women really that uncommon to other people? Or am I just not in the right circle anymore? I studied and worked in a male-dominated industry, so having male friends has always felt completely normal. Friendships that are civil, built on mutual respect, because EQ and SQ matter too.

Maybe I’m only overthinking this now because people love to gossip?

Still, I can’t seem to shrug this feeling off.I recently caught up with some former colleagues, and honestly, I just don’t get how some people think.

It’s... strange.

Is this just a generational gap thing? A preconceived notion when you’re working with people from different age groups?

I might be wrong, but if I’m not—well, that’s just sad. I cherish the friendships I’ve had, and it stings to think I’ve lost touch with some amazing people. People that I genuinely look up to and cared for because I respect their boundaries and personal space. But at the same time, being younger doesn’t define a person’s upbringing. I am well aware of my own values, and I don’t let others influence what I know to be right or wrong.