Striking a balance

I am currently finding it difficult to retain a close friendship without feeling squashed.

I have a friend who very recently moved into the area and is now doing a lot of the same things that I am doing and I feel like I am losing my space.

I know it is my own issue and that I need to sort it out, but sometimes, I just want to do my 'fun' stuff on my own.  I want to meet the new people and get to know them.  I'm a single mum and want to have the opportunity to meet a man, but my friend is in the same boat.  She is particularly beautiful and vivacious and I pale in comparison.

I'm not sure how to manage this.  I don't want to lose this friendship and I truly enjoy the closeness of it, but I'm struggling with the adjustment of proximity.  And if I'm really honest, I'm also struggling with a bit of the 'green eyed monster' and my insecurities.

I think I need to remind myself that we are all unique individuals, each with our own wonderful facets and all different to different people, which in theory is all great, but how do I put it into practice?

Ahhhh.....help.