COMPULSORY OR OPTIONAL

A recent Salon article looks into the fact that apparently American’s have fewer friends. This of course raises the issues what constitutes a friend, what’s keeping us from them and is the new rise in solitary lifestyles a choice or circumstances.

I don’t feel I suffer from a shortage of friends, though some of my best confidants have scattered across distances and life situations, leaving a bit of a void in my localized social circle. While I value having quality time to myself, such time has been in abundance of late. It seems comforting to know I’m not alone in my situation even if it isn’t entirely by conscious choice.