I think it would be both normal and probably welcomed by a lot of them (as long as you’re not pushing an MLM.) Worst case scenario, they decline your friend request, but it’s not “weird.”

I don’t think it would be weird. It’s up to them if they accept or not. I would just suggest you make parallel plans as well to meet new people. A hobby group, a book club, etc.

Speaking as a guy approaching 60, I say get in touch.

It iis so easy to lose friends, and increasingly harder to make new ones as we age. Hold onto those who knew you best. Maybe some won’t survive and maybe you’ll become closer friends with those you didn’t know that well, but make the effort, and do it now.

Completely normal.

Yes

I remember when that was all anyone did with Facebook.

Not at all. That usage was one of the original reasons Facebook exploded. I did exactly what you are asking about 15 years ago.

One thing I learned real quick is that there is a reason I disconnected with those people in the first place.

I don’t think so. Chances are they’d love to hear from you.

Not weird at all. But don’t get your hopes to high up, people moved on and lots have changed in 15 years. Likely it’s not gonna be like it was back then. But nothing to loose and other friendships can grow. often they are happy with it.

There’s nothing to lose by trying as long as you accept that the worst case scenario is they’re still not part of your life.

Maintaining relationships is hard. They’re likely minimally social these days as well. Somewhere around your age is where many people suddenly feel lonely. It’s a tough lesson on the concept of “friends of proximity”. That’s usually a negative term, but, quite frankly, I believe all friends are friends of proximity. If you change proximity (new job, differetlnt school, drop a hobby, move, etc), you have to work harder to stay in each other’s orbits. Shortened tangent: this is something I’m at peace with now. Instead of putting asterisks next to everyone that’s a work friend or hobby friend, they’re just friends. I don’t know when that friendship will end, so I focus on enjoying the current relationship.

The point I’m coming to is that, while I understand this is a unique situation for you, it’s a common general feeling. That will make it tough to rejoin social circles that likely don’t exist anymore. But, if you do manage to meet up, have at it. Enjoy it. Perhaps there are other people in your orbit that can be reevaluated as a friend. Maybe you can find something to do with them, even if it’s just a very basic hangout after work or something. I find many people are hesitant because they also think of these friendships as temporary, but hopefully you can get a feel for options and feedback. I know your post was about old friends, but I’m hoping they’re not your only option.

And please, please, do not take social media posts as their daily diary. It’s so hard to accept, but every day they’re not posting, they’re just as bored and alone as everyone else scrolling. Social media is the high lights reel. So much of it is projection.

Seconding the other comment, back in 2005 when I got it at Uni, all I did was search for people I had lost contact with from school and old jobs.

Just go for it, if it turns out that they’ve turned into mentalists you can just block them

Dude, hit them up! They’re feeling it too

Similar to something I’ve been thinking about for a New Year’s resolution. (Which is something I’ve never really done, so I don’t know why I picked New Year’s)

Reach out to one person from the past every day. Maybe a close friend that moved away, maybe just someone I worked with 15 years ago and got along with. Just check in, say hi, and throw in something that I miss or appreciated about them.

I’ve been feeling really down the last few months, and it would probably feel nice to spread some positivity.