I would be interested in hearing what other's think about this from an economic theory viewpoint. As others mentioned in this discussion friendship = time

I would be interested in hearing what other's think about this from an economic theory viewpoint. As others mentioned in this discussion friendship = time x struggle Time, for everyone, is the ultimate "limited resource". As a kid, time seems an unlimited resource. As you get older it becomes more and more limited - both daily and in absolute quantity. My situation. At 50 with my daughter off at school, and my wife working/living a thousand miles away, I realized that many of my "new" friends were coupled to my daughter and my wife. I didn't have my own friends locally - most were concentrated in my hometown. I was lonely but really didn't know it. I go to the gym every day and often take group fitness classes. At some point a woman showed up in the class who had just moved back after being away a couple years. She and I became close friends and she introduced me to several of her close friends. Now I find myself with a very intimate social network and feel blessed beyond measure. Our is very much a "time x struggle" closeness - much time together and much of it working out and, when not working out, sharing our personal struggles. My advice to anyone who suspects at some level that they are lonely is that you're probably right. But the world is full of kind, loving, trusting people - seek them out!