Life after 35 is often depicted as a desolate wasteland devoid of friends – a bleak, barren landscape where social connections wither away like autumn leaves. However, I'm here to tell you that this narrative may not be entirely accurate.
Research suggests that making close friendships becomes increasingly challenging as we age, but this doesn't have to be the case. In fact, for me, forming new friendships has been a journey of self-discovery and growth, one that's led to a network of like-minded individuals who enrich my life in ways I never thought possible.
My story begins with a realization that my social circle was rapidly shifting due to various life changes – friends moving away, getting married, having children. While it was natural for these people to pursue their new paths, I couldn't help but feel a pang of loss and disconnection from those who had once been such an integral part of my life.
It wasn't until I acknowledged this void that I began to explore ways to fill the gap. I delved into online platforms designed to facilitate friendships, like Bumble BFF and Timeleft, though I must admit that the initial awkwardness was still present. However, as I continued to put myself out there, I found moments of genuine connection – not with algorithms or swipes but with individuals who shared similar interests and values.
One such individual was Rachel, whom I met through a friend-of-a-friend. We bonded over our parallel childhoods spent at swimming practice, and despite being vastly different as people (she's a scientist and Spurs fan; I'm an artist who barely knows what that is), we somehow clicked. Our friendship blossomed from awkward coffee dates to shared adventures and even joint participation in swimming events.
Other connections followed – Abi, whom I met through SpareRoom, a flatshare platform, turned out to be a wonderful friend despite not being my ideal lodger. And then there was Loveday, whom I met at a music festival, bonding over our love for indie pop rock. These friendships have enriched my life in ways I never thought possible, providing emotional support and companionship that goes beyond mere acquaintances.
While the research may suggest that making friends becomes harder with age, I'd argue that it's not so much about age itself but rather about embracing difficult emotions and finding a sense of peace within ourselves. When we navigate our inner struggles, we become more interesting to others – we grow happier and, in turn, attract people who resonate with us.
My journey has taught me that life after 35 doesn't have to be solitary. With an open heart and mind, it's possible to form meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. It's a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth, self-discovery, and love – even if we don't find these in traditional friendships but in unexpected, serendipitous encounters that transform our lives forever.
Research suggests that making close friendships becomes increasingly challenging as we age, but this doesn't have to be the case. In fact, for me, forming new friendships has been a journey of self-discovery and growth, one that's led to a network of like-minded individuals who enrich my life in ways I never thought possible.
My story begins with a realization that my social circle was rapidly shifting due to various life changes – friends moving away, getting married, having children. While it was natural for these people to pursue their new paths, I couldn't help but feel a pang of loss and disconnection from those who had once been such an integral part of my life.
It wasn't until I acknowledged this void that I began to explore ways to fill the gap. I delved into online platforms designed to facilitate friendships, like Bumble BFF and Timeleft, though I must admit that the initial awkwardness was still present. However, as I continued to put myself out there, I found moments of genuine connection – not with algorithms or swipes but with individuals who shared similar interests and values.
One such individual was Rachel, whom I met through a friend-of-a-friend. We bonded over our parallel childhoods spent at swimming practice, and despite being vastly different as people (she's a scientist and Spurs fan; I'm an artist who barely knows what that is), we somehow clicked. Our friendship blossomed from awkward coffee dates to shared adventures and even joint participation in swimming events.
Other connections followed – Abi, whom I met through SpareRoom, a flatshare platform, turned out to be a wonderful friend despite not being my ideal lodger. And then there was Loveday, whom I met at a music festival, bonding over our love for indie pop rock. These friendships have enriched my life in ways I never thought possible, providing emotional support and companionship that goes beyond mere acquaintances.
While the research may suggest that making friends becomes harder with age, I'd argue that it's not so much about age itself but rather about embracing difficult emotions and finding a sense of peace within ourselves. When we navigate our inner struggles, we become more interesting to others – we grow happier and, in turn, attract people who resonate with us.
My journey has taught me that life after 35 doesn't have to be solitary. With an open heart and mind, it's possible to form meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. It's a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth, self-discovery, and love – even if we don't find these in traditional friendships but in unexpected, serendipitous encounters that transform our lives forever.
so like research says making friends gets harder as you get older but honestly who needs a scientific study to tell us that? 
I mean I feel like social media is just the worst way to form connections nowadays, it's all about superficial likes and swipes. For me forming new friendships has been super hard but also kinda liberating in a weird way. I've realized I don't need people who only see me as a "friend" not a partner in crime 
or someone to borrow stuff from. 
But seriously though these friendships have made my life so much richer, I feel seen and heard by people who don't know me from Adam but get me anyway. It's all about being open to new experiences and not being afraid of looking a bit silly 
. Like me, they wanna stay connected with old pals but it's hard when life changes. But instead of accepting the idea that we're outta friends, let's try to find new ways to connect, like online platforms and social events. I mean, algorithms might not be super reliable 
, but when you put yourself out there and meet people in real life, that's when magic happens! My friends and I have found connections through weird and wonderful ways – from flatshare apps to music festivals 
. It just goes to show that friendship isn't age-dependent; it's about being open-minded, embracing the unknown, and loving yourself (or at least learning to cope with those pesky emotions 
... people are always saying life is over at 35, but I think that's so not true! 
... trust me, I've been there! 
. everyone loses friends as they get older... or are they just not making an effort anymore? 
I mean, have you tried Bumble BFF? it's a total joke 
.
. I just wanna have fun and make friends, you know? 
no need to overthink it 
.
. it's like we're all just trying to find someone who likes the same music as us (or in my case, doesn't hate the Spurs 
. It's not about the number of years you've lived, it's about how much life you've actually lived 
.
. That takes more guts than just waiting for someone to fill the void. And let's be real, online platforms can be great for meeting people who share similar interests 
. But it's not just about swiping left or right – it's about being open to new experiences and putting yourself out there 
.
.
forming new friends over 35 can be tough but not impossible 
like my friend Rachel we bonded over shared childhood memories and despite our differences we clicked 
but sometimes its the awkward coffee dates that lead to real connections 
️ my point is let's not believe that life after 35 has to be lonely 
we just gotta be willing to put ourselves out there and see what happens 
online platforms can be cool, but it's those awkward coffee dates that lead to real connections. my friend met her partner through a mutual friend's cousin 
anyway, i think the narrative around getting lost in social circles after 35 is pretty outdated – life's too short to be stuck in one place 
. Online platforms can be a great way to meet people with similar interests, but sometimes you just have to take a chance and meet someone in real life 
. My friend Daria met her partner at a dog cafe – who would've thought? 
. I love how the author mentions embracing difficult emotions and finding inner peace – it's so true! When we feel good on the inside, we're more likely to attract people who vibe with us 
I mean, research says it gets harder but thats not true for me. I met Rachel last year through a mutual friend and she's literally changed my life 
Friendship decline rate peaks around 45-50 years old, with a 2.5x increase in likelihood of being lonely (study by Harvard Health Publishing)
Self-discovery and growth can lead to meaningful connections with like-minded individuals, regardless of age
Emotional support and companionship aren't limited to traditional friendships; serendipitous encounters can transform our lives forever
. Another person tried to meet new friends through their kid's sports team but was always the oldest or youngest member on the field. These people didn't become lonely; they just had bad luck.
. its all about being open to new experiences and people, even if they dont tick every box on your friend checklist. my own story is proof that friendships can be just as fulfilling (if not more so) at an older age than when we were young and carefree 
. I've been there too, felt that void when friends moved away or got busy, but then found new ways to connect online 
. I think what we're seeing is a generational shift towards online communities and networking platforms that cater to our specific interests and values 
. We need more emphasis on building meaningful connections, rather than just accumulating "friends" for the sake of having friends 
), I can attest to the power of taking that first step and being open to new experiences.
. I think it's super common to feel like you're losing friends or having them move away, especially when kids come along 
. But what the author didn't mention is how hard it can be to put yourself out there and make new connections in your 30s 
. For me, it was way more awkward than I thought it'd be 
. Either way, I'm glad this article brought up the conversation 
and reminded me of the importance of being open-minded and patient when it comes to making new connections