Don't be a stranger! Rekindling old friendships can be as scary as making new ... trends now
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Most of us have an old friend we've somehow lost touch with over the years.
But reaching out to an old pal is as scary as striking up a new friendship with a stranger, according to new research.
Experts have discovered that the majority of people are hesitant to rekindle past friendships over fear that it would be 'too awkward' or their efforts would be rebuffed.
But they said reviving pre-existing relationships could provide a key source of happiness – especially during a time when more people are feeling disconnected.
The team, from the University of Sussex and Simon Fraser University in Canada, carried out seven different studies involving nearly 2,500 participants.
Experts have discovered that the majority of people are hesitant to rekindle past friendships over fear that it would be 'too awkward' or their efforts would be rebuffed (stock image)
They examined people's attitudes towards reconnecting with lapsed friendships, the barriers and reasons for doing so, and whether targeted interventions could encourage people to send a message to an old friend.
Analysis revealed that 90 per cent of people had lost touch with someone they still care about, yet 70 per cent said they felt neutral or even negative
