If you are going to limit yourself to what your romantic partner is interested in, I suppose it could work, but feels very confined.

I have many hobbies and interests not shared in full by any romantic partner I’ve ever had, though there have been some notable exceptions.

One woman I dated for many years rode motorcycles and snowboards.

Another shared my interest in Fromsoft video games.

I doubt anyone I would seriously date at 50 is going to share my passion for skateboarding, though I’d love to be proven wrong on that one.

I don’t have many close friends, and only two live within visiting distance. Most have spread across the country. We stay in touch with a phone call every month or two, catching up, sharing stories, discussing common interests. The ones in town I’ll see maybe once a month as well, for dinner, drinks, or a motorcycle ride.

They all bring ideas and experiences into my life I wouldn’t otherwise have, and by maintaining friendships with a wide variety in background and education, it keeps me from becoming too narrow minded or stunted.

Could I live my life without my friends? Sure. Would I want to? Absolutely not.