I feel this piece! I moved to Ireland a year ago. My partner has friends here, but that doesn't mean I am automatically friends with them or their partners. Can I blame COVID for the fact I have no real friends.

I connected with a couple of people who I did some runs with. But they have drifted off as they have stopped running and I guess our connection wasn't strong enough to maintain friends.

Someone once said to me that the Irish were the friendliest people you will never be friends with. This resonates with me.

I am someone who has always put alot of effort into my friendships and had quite a few, diverse friends. Our partners can not be everything to us. Friends are important.

Meeting people through shared interests is definitely the way forward. Best of luck with finding a tribe. :-)