Break up your friend groups
Refresh your perspective

It's definitely fun to be a close-knit band of chums who go on adventures together and always have each other's backs, I am speaking from personal experience. I understand the appeal and I know that a lot of these groups form naturally, not intentionally trying to be a whole clique. However, Mindhunter is right. Sometimes a friend group becomes not just externally powerful but also unintentionally oppressive to its own members. It can lead to a feeling of stagnation for a character.

Again I'm not talking about anyone in particular, just discussing some of the trends and dynamics of friend groups I've seen throughout my time playing.

Ask yourself:

Have you refused to work with someone outside your "circle" because you were worried what your friends would think?

Have you turned down opportunities that would help you reach your most desired goals because it would involve ruining a friend's day?

If you choose not to take a risk, is it because you're worried about consequences from your enemies, or because you don't want to get ostracized from your friend group for doing something they might disagree with?

If you answered yes to these questions, it may actually be your chums, not your enemies, that are holding you back from progressing - or even finding enjoyment - in the game.

Breaking up with a friend group doesn't even have to be a big loud betrayal either, although that is a helluva plot-starter in itself if things are feeling particularly stagnant. Just start small, reach out to other people you wouldn't normally reach out to. Maybe you have similar goals but never bothered to ask. Also, your friends don't have to know about everyone you talk to or every action you take.