Having friends is an expensive hobby in money and time.
1) Your friends may have begun to make and spend more money than you, and you cannot participate in their activities. Many people here will say “just find new friends” not realizing how different their ages, lives and skillsets may be from yours. You only have to say no a few times before you are left out. You might even feel bad every time you turn them down.
2) You may be overburdened with work to the point where your most meaningful social connections are at work. Especially if this is a startup, if you take the night off to go drinking you might not deliver on a critical contract which may cause your work friends, who may have in the interim become your only friends, as well as you, to no longer have a place of employment.
Whatever it is I’m sorry you are going through this.
GP’s comment is a wry (“hobby”) and pithy and provocative take that’s not wrong. IMO, friends are the nutritious meal that’s more expensive than friend substitutes. GP seems to have a different conclusion on cost/benefit. But nobody can deny there is a cost!
Spending time with friends is only as expensive as you choose to make it. Most of the time, I’m riding the bike I already paid for to a public park or to a restaurant I would have eaten at anyway.
Human social connection is a pretty critical component of a psychologically healthy life.
5 people answered with a belittling tone, and I certainly don't feel any more inspired to befriend them. It makes you think.
Friends groups centered around activity cost money to participate - whether materials for crafting, sports equipment, entrance fees, whatever. Friends groups centered around partying cost money too.