Do online friendships feel easier or harder than real-life ones?

For me, online friendships feel easier at first because there’s less pressure, more time to think before responding, and it’s easier to connect through conversation instead of social performance. I’ve always found it easier to open up through text than face-to-face interaction.

At the same time, I’ve noticed that even when I genuinely want friendship and connection, maintaining online friendships long term can become emotionally exhausting for me. , socially drained even if I like the person. I’m wondering if anyone else experiences this contradiction where you want connection emotionally, but your social energy or nervous system struggles with sustained interaction over time.

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BillyMack · 46-50, M

I think sometimes there’s more of an expectation of regularity and frequency of communication online. That’s basically all the friendship is about. So that could be one reason.

OlderSometimesWiser · F

@BillyMack Just wanted to hop over here to tell you I blocked that beyotch who went after you for your reply to her movie list. That’s the third person I’ve seen her being unnecessarily nasty with. Lol…… was gonna butt in over there but decided to mind my own beeswax and block her instead. 😅

BillyMack · 46-50, M

@OlderSometimesWiser don’t sweat it. I didn’t even see what she said and they blocked me right after I responded with a “cool”.

I appreciate it though.

I guess I’m now a troll? I just thought I was witty. 🤷‍♂

OlderSometimesWiser · F

@BillyMack You were perfectly fine. Guess I’m just triggered by snide, nasty people. So often unnecessary and it pisses me off.