Is this even a problem?

desperate

I'm not sure this is even a problem but I guess I would just like some feedback
I'm 26 now. Growing up I had loads and loads of friends and I am still in contact with alot of old school friends however most of them have moved away and started families etc. I made a whole new bunch of friends at college when I went back aged 22 and we went out all the time (I'm quite sociable). I loved my life then, seeing my friends every day and socialising with them at the weekend. But sadly one of my best friends commited suicide two years ago and it tore the group apart. I'm not sure why but we didn't want to hang out anymore and college had ended so we didnt see each other on a daily basis. We were all very close but we couldn't seem to remain in contact with each other. I think it was too painful to be together when one of us was notably and sadly absent. Another problem which I'm sure people will jump on me for is that I had alot of male friends who I simply can't be friends with anymore because they have all at some point tried it on with me or told me that they can't 'just' be friends. I don't know why this is, I'm average looking but it's seen a reoccuring problem for a long time. Anyway fast forward two years and I'm successfully pursuing a PhD, I have a great boyfriend but sadly no friends to hang out with at the weekend. My boyfriend includes me in his life but lives very far away. Also I don't want to 'highjack' his friends. Both of us are fiercly (but healthily) independent and I don't want my entire life to revolve around him and his friends(lovely as they are). I want my own friends, people who I can go out with for drinks, a group of people who I can depend on but I don't have any and don't know how to go about making any. The nature of my work means I work alone, don't have any contact with people during the day, come home to my parents house and crash out from exhaustion. I miss being part of a group and I don't know how to go about changing it, given that I work extremely hard and long hours and travel to see my boyfriend on my occassional days off. Does anyone have any suggestion about how I can find new friends given these circumstances?
Thanks in advance for your advice

MIN2511

I made friends through boards meet up...

Very good friends too

You should go to one of the beers, like the Christmas party on Saturday in TP Smiths

cafecolour

It sounds like you barely have time for socializing (per most of the post grads I know). Sounds like you need a baseline social outlet for the moment, and then you can focus more energy on generating a new social circle when the PHD is done.

Suggestions to achieve that:

A lot of postgrads I know go for beers with their fellow students on the odd occassion though - is there no group of ye where you're getting your PHD?

You could also join a club or such, even though it seems like you're pressed for time. Maybe tag rugby - it's the same time every week so you'll be able to schedule around it, you get exercise in, and you'll often go for a pint or two after. Or yes, boards beers are grand if they are in your area. I find clubs can be a good social outlet without too much commitment.

Finally, you could try looking up some of those old college chums and go for drinks, who knows maybe you'll connect with one of them again. I mean one on one - I wouldn't aim for a group outing or try ressurrecting the whole circle - they fall apart naturally anyway, never mind with such difficult circumstances.