The loneliness fix: I wanted to find new friends in my 30s – and it was easier than I imagined

The notion that life after 35 is a barren wasteland devoid of social connections has long been perpetuated as an unwelcome reality. While statistics suggest that 69% of people agree that making close friends becomes more difficult with age, it appears that this is not set in stone.

A personal story of forming new friendships highlights the potential for meaningful relationships to be forged outside of traditional settings. After experiencing a dramatic shift in social life due to a series of life changes, one individual embarked on a journey to gather a small network of new people who shared similar interests and values.

The path to establishing these connections was not an easy one. The author initially turned to dating apps like Bumble BFF as a means of meeting potential friends, but the experience was not without its challenges. Feelings of rejection and self-doubt lingered, and it seemed that some individuals were simply unapproachable.

However, time and patience ultimately proved to be potent allies. The author discovered new friendships through semi-accidental encounters with acquaintances-turned-friends in real-life settings, such as co-working spaces, exercise classes, and social gatherings. These connections were not solely limited to women, either, and the author was able to navigate various social situations without feeling like they were dating.

A key takeaway from this personal narrative is that happiness can create a positive feedback loop. As the individual found peace and happiness within themselves, the world around them became more interesting and attractive. This newfound sense of purpose and self-assurance seemed to make others more receptive to forming connections with the author.

The statistics surrounding friendships may be misleading, as they often neglect the role that emotional state plays in our social lives. Rather than assuming that age is a barrier to making friends, it's clear that fear, anxiety, and sadness can significantly hinder this process.

Ultimately, the journey of forming new friendships after 35 serves as a testament to the human capacity for connection and growth. While challenges will undoubtedly arise, they do not have to define our social lives. By embracing our unique experiences and perspectives, we may find that there are countless individuals waiting to be discovered – and cherished – in our midst.

Ugh, 69% of people agreeing that making close friends becomes harder after 35 is totally a myth . I know this from personal experience, I'm 42 and still manage to meet new interesting ppl at events and stuff. And btw, dating apps are so overrated . You can find meaningful connections in the least likely places - like that one time I met my bro when we were both waiting for our morning coffee ️. People who say age is a barrier just haven't made an effort enough .

I feel like we're finally starting to break down this idea that getting close to people gets harder as you get older . I know it sounds cheesy but for me, happiness is key to meeting new people. When I'm feeling good about myself, I'm more likely to put myself out there and try new things. And honestly, most of the friends I've made recently are people I met through shared interests or hobbies, not just through dating apps . It's all about being open to new experiences and not taking rejection too hard .

I think 69% of people agreeing that making close friends becomes more difficult with age is kinda misleading . I mean, what about all the awesome people out there who form new connections later in life? Like, I've got a buddy who joined a book club at 40 and now he's part of this tight-knit crew . And honestly, I think societal pressure to be constantly social can actually make it harder to connect with others . Maybe we just need to redefine what it means to be 'connected' ?

i feel like this story is so relatable lol i've been trying to make friends for ages too but its hard when u're introverted or just go thru phases where u don't wanna put yourself out there. i think its awesome that the author was able to find ppl who shared similar interests and values tho, it makes total sense that happiness would create a positive vibe around u

I think this whole thing about getting friends later in life is being used as a pawn by politicians to justify their lack of action on mental health support . I mean, if 69% of people agree that making close friends becomes more difficult with age, what does that say about our society's priorities? Are we just sitting around waiting for someone else to fix the problem or should we be holding our leaders accountable for creating spaces and programs that foster connection and community? It's also worth noting that these dating app statistics might not reflect the experiences of people from diverse backgrounds. We need to be careful not to perpetuate a narrow narrative that only applies to certain segments of society.

I'm telling ya, 35 is like the new 25! People need to stop buying into this whole "life after 35 is over" thing. I've met some of my closest friends in their 40s and beyond. Like, have you ever tried a co-working space? It's like a breeding ground for adult friendships . And exercise classes? Forget about it! You'll meet people who actually care about fitness (and not just wanna get drunk afterwards). The stats are skewed, imo. Age is just a number. It's all about being open to new experiences and putting yourself out there. Don't be afraid to try something new, even if it means putting yourself in slightly uncomfortable situations . Trust me, the payoff is worth it .

I mean, I kinda agree that age isn't a barrier to making friends... but it's also true that life gets busier and more complicated as you get older . Like, I've had friends who were super active on dating apps like Bumble BFF, but sometimes it feels like nobody's really looking for anything real . And yeah, rejection can be tough to deal with... but the thing is, everyone's got their own struggles and stuff .

I think what this person did was pretty cool, though - finding friends in unexpected places like co-working spaces or exercise classes . It shows that you don't have to conform to some idea of "making friends" if you're 35... you can still find people who share your interests and stuff .

But at the same time, I'm not convinced that age isn't a factor... like, statistically speaking, 69% of people saying it gets harder to make close friends? That's still pretty interesting . Maybe we just need to rethink what "making friends" means as we get older .

I mean I think people over 35 can totally form new friendships easily... but on the other hand, what if they don't? Like, some people might just lose their social skills or something . But at the same time, I've seen people my age make super close friends through online communities and stuff, so maybe it's not all bad . And honestly, I think stats on friendships can be kinda misleading... like, what even is a "close friend"? Are they just a random acquaintance you hang out with every now and then?

But anywayz, I've heard that making new friends as an adult is way more complicated than when you're younger, which is probably true... but not entirely. Like, my BFFs are all from school or college, but we still have so much fun together ! Maybe it's just a matter of being open to meeting new people and having some patience?

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this article! It's crazy how often we're led to believe that making friends gets harder as we get older, but it sounds like it's not a guarantee either way. I've definitely struggled with forming new connections, especially after a big move or life change. But reading about someone else's journey and how they overcame those challenges really resonated with me . It's so true that our emotional state can make a huge difference - when we're happy and feeling good about ourselves, the world seems to open up in all sorts of interesting ways. And it's not just about age either - I've met some amazing people through online communities or social events where they were maybe not super comfortable with new connections at first. But once you break the ice, magic happens!

I gotta say , I think people over 35 still got it . They've lived through ups and downs, they know themselves, and they're not afraid to show up at events and strike up conversations with strangers. The idea that you need to be in your 20s or early 30s to meet new people is just a myth . I mean, think about it, most of us are stuck in those midlife crises anyway , so we might as well find some friends who get it too. And let's be real, online dating can be super superficial , but meeting people in person and sharing experiences is where the magic happens . I'm all for embracing our age and finding connections that way

omg i totally relate 2 this!! i've had friends who r always sayin life after 30 is all about settle down & be a family mom but for me its like the opposite i've had so many amazing friendships form while travelin or workin @ events or even just thru online communities like, dont get me wrong dating apps r crazy 2 but they can also be super effective if ur willin 2 put yerself out there

i think what i love most about this story is how the author found happiness & peace for themselves & that made EVERYTHING more interesting & attractive 2 others it just goes 2 show that age dont matter when it comes 2 makin new friends or connections @ all

I totally get why people think making friends after 35 is tough but I gotta say, this story just made me wanna join all those co-working spaces and exercise classes ASAP! I mean, who needs dating apps when you can just be yourself and let the universe bring you people with similar vibes? And yeah, it's so true that our emotional state plays a huge role in forming connections – I've definitely felt like I was too anxious to reach out to new people before. But now, hearing about this person's journey, I feel inspired to take control of my own social life and see what kind of amazing friendships await me!

I think it's so cool how this person was able to make new friends after their life changed a lot! I mean, dating apps can be tough, but they're not for everyone. It's awesome that they were able to meet people through real-life settings like co-working spaces and exercise classes. Those are the kinds of places where you can just be yourself and have some fun!

I think a lot of us get caught up in thinking that making friends gets harder as we get older, but this story shows that's not always true. It's all about being open to new experiences and meeting people who share your interests. And it's so important to remember that our emotional state can affect how easy it is to make connections with others.

I love the part where the author found happiness and purpose, and then it made everything around them more interesting. That's like a big ol' cycle of positivity! It just goes to show that we have the power to create our own social networks, even if we don't fit into traditional molds.

I feel you! I was at a similar point in my life when I was trying to break out of this lonely phase. It's like everyone else has their crew already and then suddenly it's just me walking around alone, right? But seriously, I think it's time we start shifting the narrative that we're too old for new connections. I've seen people form some amazing friendships outside of traditional settings, like book clubs or hiking groups. It's all about being open to new experiences and not giving up when things don't work out right away

Making friends after 35 doesn't have to be a lost cause. Life changes can lead to new connections, but it's all about being open & patient

I don't usually comment but I gotta say, I'm totally with this person on making friends after 35. I mean, I've been there too where it feels like everyone's already taken their spot in the social circle and I'm just a random face in the crowd . But honestly, I think we're sold a bill of goods when they say that life after 35 is all about dwindling friendships. I've had some amazing experiences forming new connections through online communities and events centered around my hobbies . It's like, people are so focused on finding someone who shares their exact interests that they forget to look for the ones who share their values or sense of humor . And yeah, it's not all sunshine and rainbows - rejection is real, but sometimes you just have to keep trying until you find your tribe .