Episode 7: When It’s Not a Match — Friendship Rejection, Ghosting & Moving Forward

You met someone.
You went to coffee.
You thought, “This could be good.”

And then… nothing.

She didn’t text back. She faded out. Or maybe you realized she wasn’t who you thought she was.

In Episode 7 of our Making Friends Later in Life series, Jennifer and Jackie talk honestly about what happens when a new friendship doesn’t work out — and how to handle rejection, ghosting, or misalignment without internalizing it or shutting down.

Because let’s be real: if you’re building friendships later in life, rejection can hit harder. It can trigger old wounds — from middle school drama to past betrayals to relationships that didn’t end well. And when that happens, it’s easy to retreat and tell yourself, “See? This is why I don’t try.”

But not every connection that fades is a failure.

In this episode, we unpack:

Why rejection isn’t always personal
How ghosting works in today’s world (even though we didn’t grow up with it)
The difference between awkwardness and incompatibility
Why anxiety on a first meet-up isn’t a red flag
How capacity, life stage, and timing affect connection
Why you shouldn’t overcompensate or overshare to “secure” a friendship
And how to keep trying without becoming bitter

We also share personal stories about red flags we missed, lessons learned the hard way, and how even our own friendship took time to rebuild and realign.

Because making friends later in life isn’t about speed.

It’s about alignment.
And alignment takes time.

If a connection fades, it doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It just means it wasn’t the right fit. Keep going.

When you’re ready to make your friendship official, book your Bestiemony™ at rhinestoneweddingchapel.com — because the best love stories don’t always come with a ring.

Chickology Podcasts
Bold podcasts by women, for women. Real talk. Real growth.

Bestiemony®
Honor your forever friendship with a Bestiemony®.

Rhinestone Wedding Chapel
Weddings, Elvis, & Bestiemony® ceremonies—only in Nashville at Rhinestone Chapel.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

This episode of Slightly Unsupervised was brought to you by the creators of Bestiemony®—the original friendship ceremony that proves soulmates don’t always come with a marriage license. Hosted by Jennifer and Jackie: best friends, business partners, and co-founders of the movement celebrating real, ride-or-die love.

💍 Book a Bestiemony: rhinestoneweddingchapel.com/bestiemony
📱 Follow us on Instagram at @Bestiemonies
📩 Got a bestie story to share or a subject request? Email us at ChickologyPodcasts@gmail.com

When It’s Not a Match: Episode 7 Handling Friendship Disappointment Without Shutting Down