Sarah Pichardo Befriend Someone 10 Years Older (and 10 Years Younger)
We usually hang out with people our own age. It’s natural—most of our friends come from school, sports teams, clubs, or workplaces where everyone’s in a similar stage of life. You laugh at the same jokes, get the same pop culture references, and feel like you “get” each other. But limiting yourself to only same-age friends means you’re missing out on the benefits of cross-generational friendships—connections that blend different life stages, perspectives, and experiences in ways your own age group simply can’t.
But if everyone in your circle was born within a two-year span? You’re missing out. Big time.
That’s why you need at least one friend 10 years older and one friend 10 years younger. Trust me—your group chats will be funnier, and your perspective on life will be so much richer.
Friends 10 Years Older: Your Life Cheat Codes
Wisdom without the lecture. They’ve already made the mistakes so you don’t have to. And when they share advice, it’s usually wrapped in a funny story about “that time in ’98 when I accidentally…” instead of a finger wag.
I have a friend about 10 years older who gives me a heads-up on what’s coming—especially when it comes to my body. That weird back pain? She’s had it, fixed it, and now tells me how to avoid it.
They can also make great mentors. Sometimes that means career guidance, like how to ask for a raise or navigate tricky office politics. Other times, it’s personal—helping you set boundaries, teaching you how to cook something fancier than boxed mac and cheese, or showing you how to negotiate with contractors so you don’t get overcharged. Their extra decade of life experience is like a cheat sheet for challenges you haven’t hit yet.
Perspective reset. They’ll remind you that the thing you’re stressing about probably won’t matter in a year. (Unless it’s taxes—then yes, it matters.)
Better playlists. Older friends have music you missed, movies you skipped, and books you didn’t know you needed.
Friends 10 Years Younger: Your Anti-Rut Energy Boost
Fresh lens. They grew up in a different world and will question things you’ve just accepted as “normal.”
Trend translator. They know the memes before they’re memes. You’ll finally understand TikTok references without Googling.
Curiosity contagion. Younger friends have that “why not?” energy that’s hard not to catch.
Honestly, the amount I’ve learned from people younger than me is wild. Don’t assume you know it all—some of the best advice and insights I’ve gotten have come from friends who weren’t even in high school when I graduated.
How to Find Intergenerational Friendships
- Join groups that mix ages—volunteer events, classes, local meetups.
- Ask questions, listen, and stay curious.
- Drop the “I’m too old/too young” mindset. Shared humor and values matter more than birth years.
Benefits of Younger and Older Friendships
Older friends give you perspective. Younger friends keep you curious. Together, they make you smarter, more open-minded, and way more fun at parties.
So go out and make those cross-generational connections. Worst case, you get a killer new playlist. Best case, you get a whole new way of seeing the world.
