Making friends after 35: the not-so- lonely solution.
Life after our mid-twenties can feel isolating – at least, it did for many women I knew. As they transitioned into motherhood or married and moved to suburbia, their friendships with others began to fray. "It becomes harder to make friends as you get older," the saying goes. Research backs this up: 69% of people in a US survey agree that making close friendships becomes more difficult after age 35. It takes about 200 hours of contact to form a close friendship, and adults often have to carve out time for social activities from busy schedules.
This narrative suggests we're doomed to be alone as we get older. However, there's another story – one I'm living proof of. I've slowly gathered a small network of new people in whose presence I feel content.
My life took an unexpected turn when I reached my mid-30s. My social calendar was sparse, with gaping weekend-sized holes where once it had been full to the brim with after-work drinks, brunches, and birthday parties. It felt like a loss – not just their physical presence I missed, but our connection generally.
But as much as I loved these friends and would continue to spend time with them, I also knew I needed to meet people living a similar life to me. That's when I turned to apps designed for making new friendships, such as Bumble BFF. This platonic version of the popular dating app allowed me to discern which faces suggested friendship material.
The experience was awkward at first – rejection and self-doubt were inevitable. But I wasn't alone in these feelings. According to a friend who'd used Bumble BFF, it had given her the gift of a new friendship circle. So, I gave it a try too.
One person I met through Bumble BFF was Rachel. We bonded over our parallel childhoods spent at swimming practice and would later go on to swim together, eat together, hang out with each other's families, and even sign up for swimming events. Our differences – she's a scientist and avid Spurs fan, while I'm a creative who doesn't know much about Spurs – only seemed to add to our connection.
I also joined an app called Timeleft, which invites users to dine with six strangers. We were matched based on personality quizzes, but the experience felt unnatural at first. We were part of several groups of strangers, all relying on algorithms to find new friends. Yet, most in our group were there for similar reasons – to seek out new kindred spirits.
That's when I met Elvira. She was quiet and initially seemed like someone who wouldn't be my cup of tea. However, we shared a dry sense of humour that quickly became a common ground. Our connection turned out stronger than I'd anticipated, and over time, our friendship blossomed.
There are also non-app connections to be found – in co-working spaces, exercise classes, monthly supper clubs, and local cafes. These friendships haven't all been with women; I've met acquaintances from different walks of life who share similar interests.
I've come to believe that the key factor here isn't extroversion or being naturally outgoing; it's a measure of peace I've found in my life. When I was navigating difficult emotions, the world seemed less interesting. But as happiness began to seep into my existence, so did new friendships.
The statistics suggesting it gets harder to make friends with age can be daunting – but they also instill defeatist beliefs about our agency. Once we move past fear, anxiety, and sadness, the world opens up, and fantastic people are ready to become our pals.
In 2025, it's still possible to form connections "in real life." I met Loveday at a music festival; we bonded over our shared love of indie pop rock. Since then, we've taken weekend walks on the South Downs together, discussing everything from the world to puttin' right.
My story isn't one of magic; it's about taking small steps towards happiness and being open to new connections. What I've learned is that age doesn't stop us from making friends – our inner state does.
Life after our mid-twenties can feel isolating – at least, it did for many women I knew. As they transitioned into motherhood or married and moved to suburbia, their friendships with others began to fray. "It becomes harder to make friends as you get older," the saying goes. Research backs this up: 69% of people in a US survey agree that making close friendships becomes more difficult after age 35. It takes about 200 hours of contact to form a close friendship, and adults often have to carve out time for social activities from busy schedules.
This narrative suggests we're doomed to be alone as we get older. However, there's another story – one I'm living proof of. I've slowly gathered a small network of new people in whose presence I feel content.
My life took an unexpected turn when I reached my mid-30s. My social calendar was sparse, with gaping weekend-sized holes where once it had been full to the brim with after-work drinks, brunches, and birthday parties. It felt like a loss – not just their physical presence I missed, but our connection generally.
But as much as I loved these friends and would continue to spend time with them, I also knew I needed to meet people living a similar life to me. That's when I turned to apps designed for making new friendships, such as Bumble BFF. This platonic version of the popular dating app allowed me to discern which faces suggested friendship material.
The experience was awkward at first – rejection and self-doubt were inevitable. But I wasn't alone in these feelings. According to a friend who'd used Bumble BFF, it had given her the gift of a new friendship circle. So, I gave it a try too.
One person I met through Bumble BFF was Rachel. We bonded over our parallel childhoods spent at swimming practice and would later go on to swim together, eat together, hang out with each other's families, and even sign up for swimming events. Our differences – she's a scientist and avid Spurs fan, while I'm a creative who doesn't know much about Spurs – only seemed to add to our connection.
I also joined an app called Timeleft, which invites users to dine with six strangers. We were matched based on personality quizzes, but the experience felt unnatural at first. We were part of several groups of strangers, all relying on algorithms to find new friends. Yet, most in our group were there for similar reasons – to seek out new kindred spirits.
That's when I met Elvira. She was quiet and initially seemed like someone who wouldn't be my cup of tea. However, we shared a dry sense of humour that quickly became a common ground. Our connection turned out stronger than I'd anticipated, and over time, our friendship blossomed.
There are also non-app connections to be found – in co-working spaces, exercise classes, monthly supper clubs, and local cafes. These friendships haven't all been with women; I've met acquaintances from different walks of life who share similar interests.
I've come to believe that the key factor here isn't extroversion or being naturally outgoing; it's a measure of peace I've found in my life. When I was navigating difficult emotions, the world seemed less interesting. But as happiness began to seep into my existence, so did new friendships.
The statistics suggesting it gets harder to make friends with age can be daunting – but they also instill defeatist beliefs about our agency. Once we move past fear, anxiety, and sadness, the world opens up, and fantastic people are ready to become our pals.
In 2025, it's still possible to form connections "in real life." I met Loveday at a music festival; we bonded over our shared love of indie pop rock. Since then, we've taken weekend walks on the South Downs together, discussing everything from the world to puttin' right.
My story isn't one of magic; it's about taking small steps towards happiness and being open to new connections. What I've learned is that age doesn't stop us from making friends – our inner state does.
I tried out these apps and found some amazing peeps. Its all about being open and taking small steps towards happiness. I met Rachel thru Bumble BFF and we bonded over swimming and stuff. And then I met Elvira through a supper club and now we share this sick dry sense of humor 
. Age is just a number, u can still meet new ppl and make friends no matter what. I'm all about positivity here! 
like we're supposed to just magically have a huge social circle by 35 and it's literally not true! I mean, I've been there too where life gets in the way and you're left feeling lonely. But then I started using these apps like Bumble BFF and Timeleft and oh my gosh it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders 
we bonded over our shared childhood memories and now we swim together and eat together... it's like we were meant to be besties
And it starts with taking that first step and being open to new connections. Don't wait for the perfect person or situation; just go out there and put yourself out there 
Making friends after 35 is defo not impossible. We're all busy with life, fam 
, but that doesn't mean we gotta be lonely. I've been there too - my mid-twenties flew by and suddenly social life was non-existent 
. But then I started using those friendship apps like Bumble BFF and Timeleft... 
. And you're right, it's not just about being extroverted; it's more about finding peace in life 
! We bonded over our shared love of indie pop rock... 
Who knew that was gonna be the start of an epic friendship? 
.
. And you know what? It's been amazing! I've met so many interesting people who share similar passions... 
i mean, who hasn't felt like they're losing touch with their squad in their mid-30s? but honestly, it's just an excuse for people to be lazy and not make an effort to stay connected. like, if you're really that busy, maybe you should've prioritized your friendships before life got in the way 
. apps like bumble bff might be a crutch for some people who can't handle rejection or don't know how to put themselves out there. and what's with all these "friendship circles" people are talking about? is that just code for "i've got 12 acquaintances on tinder"? 
. That's why making friends later in life is so underrated 
. Apps like Bumble BFF and Timeleft have made it way easier to put ourselves out there 
.
. If you're passionate about something, you'll meet people who share those passions 
.
. So, even if it takes some effort to make new connections, the payoff is worth it 
.
!
You know, I totally get why people say it gets harder to make friends after 35 
️. But I think we have the power to change that! 
! The key is finding your tribe and being open to new connections. We shouldn't be afraid of rejection or feeling awkward; we should be embracing the possibility of meeting someone new and meaningful 
, this whole "making friends after 35" thing got me thinking - what about people who have disabilities or chronic illnesses? Do apps like Bumble BFF really cater to their needs 
i think that's the key 2 making friends at any age
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.
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. btw, i just swiped right on a new crush – fingers crossed i don't get ghosted 
. we humans are super capable of adapting to new schedules and finding time for social activities 
. I love how this girl turned to apps like Bumble BFF to meet like-minded people - it's not about trying to force friendships, it's about finding that spark 
. People say you're supposed to be too busy or that it's just not your thing anymore... but I think that's just plain wrong 
, while Elvira turned out to be a dry wit I'd never have met otherwise 
. Just take small steps towards happiness, like trying a new app or joining a social group 
. When I was unhappy, everything seemed dull 
, but as I found happiness again, friendships started to bloom 
. It's not magic, just taking small steps towards connection and community 
and focus on the positive side of getting older 
. We've got wisdom, experience, and a sense of self 
. Let's use those qualities to build meaningful connections with others