I never thought I'd say this, but my mid-30s have been a transformative time for me – particularly when it comes to friendships. It's funny how life has a way of testing our assumptions and pushing us outside our comfort zones.
When I entered what was initially perceived as the prime of my youth, many of my friends had moved on with their lives. Some had started families, while others got married and settled down in new locations. As I watched them embark on these new chapters, I couldn't help but feel like a part of me was missing out.
At first, it was just an emotional void left by the absence of close friends who were no longer available to hang out as regularly. We'd spent years sharing every aspect of our lives with each other – from laughter-filled nights out to intimate conversations over phone calls. But now, those connections seemed tenuous at best.
As I navigated this uncharted territory, something sparked within me – a desire to find like-minded individuals who shared my interests and values. It was time to shake off the notion that friendships had to be confined to childhood or young adulthood. I wanted to join a community of adults, just as curious and open to new experiences.
Intrigued by the idea of using dating apps for friendship, I decided to give it a try. Swiping through profiles on Bumble BFF (the platonic version of the popular dating app) seemed like an unconventional approach, but desperation can be a powerful motivator. What I wasn't prepared for was how difficult it would be to let go of preconceived notions about what makes someone a good friend.
Initially, there were plenty of rejections – people who didn't quite mesh with my energy or interests. But then, slowly, genuine connections started to emerge. Two women in particular stood out: Rachel and Elvira.
Our first meeting was awkward, but we both sensed that our connection ran deeper than surface-level conversations. We bonded over shared childhood experiences and discovered a mutual appreciation for dry wit – it turned out to be the key to unlocking each other's sense of humor.
The time we spent together on Timeleft (an app designed to facilitate new friendships through dining) was another turning point. In an environment where strangers were brought together by algorithms, I found myself laughing alongside others who genuinely understood my quirks and passions.
One person in particular caught my eye – Loveday. We met at a concert, bonding over our shared love for indie music. What started as a passing conversation evolved into weekend walks on the South Downs, where we'd sit and discuss life's complexities.
The friendships I've formed since then have been a mix of organic meetups, social events, and even online connections that blossomed into real-life friendships. And it's astonishing – all it took was me being open to new experiences and embracing my own growth.
It seems counterintuitive: the older we get, the more daunting it may seem to make new friends. But I firmly believe that age doesn't dictate one's capacity for connection. It's fear, anxiety, and sadness that can hold us back from pursuing meaningful relationships.
As I look around at my newfound circle of friends, I'm reminded that happiness is a powerful feedback loop – the more we cultivate joy in our lives, the more interesting the world becomes, attracting like-minded individuals who share our passions. In this sense, my mid-30s have become a period of self-discovery and growth, not just for me but also for those around me.
Perhaps it's time to reevaluate the notion that friendships must be limited by age or circumstances. The proof is clear: once we dedicate time to nurturing ourselves and embracing our unique qualities, the world opens up to a plethora of amazing people who are eager to form lasting connections with us.
When I entered what was initially perceived as the prime of my youth, many of my friends had moved on with their lives. Some had started families, while others got married and settled down in new locations. As I watched them embark on these new chapters, I couldn't help but feel like a part of me was missing out.
At first, it was just an emotional void left by the absence of close friends who were no longer available to hang out as regularly. We'd spent years sharing every aspect of our lives with each other – from laughter-filled nights out to intimate conversations over phone calls. But now, those connections seemed tenuous at best.
As I navigated this uncharted territory, something sparked within me – a desire to find like-minded individuals who shared my interests and values. It was time to shake off the notion that friendships had to be confined to childhood or young adulthood. I wanted to join a community of adults, just as curious and open to new experiences.
Intrigued by the idea of using dating apps for friendship, I decided to give it a try. Swiping through profiles on Bumble BFF (the platonic version of the popular dating app) seemed like an unconventional approach, but desperation can be a powerful motivator. What I wasn't prepared for was how difficult it would be to let go of preconceived notions about what makes someone a good friend.
Initially, there were plenty of rejections – people who didn't quite mesh with my energy or interests. But then, slowly, genuine connections started to emerge. Two women in particular stood out: Rachel and Elvira.
Our first meeting was awkward, but we both sensed that our connection ran deeper than surface-level conversations. We bonded over shared childhood experiences and discovered a mutual appreciation for dry wit – it turned out to be the key to unlocking each other's sense of humor.
The time we spent together on Timeleft (an app designed to facilitate new friendships through dining) was another turning point. In an environment where strangers were brought together by algorithms, I found myself laughing alongside others who genuinely understood my quirks and passions.
One person in particular caught my eye – Loveday. We met at a concert, bonding over our shared love for indie music. What started as a passing conversation evolved into weekend walks on the South Downs, where we'd sit and discuss life's complexities.
The friendships I've formed since then have been a mix of organic meetups, social events, and even online connections that blossomed into real-life friendships. And it's astonishing – all it took was me being open to new experiences and embracing my own growth.
It seems counterintuitive: the older we get, the more daunting it may seem to make new friends. But I firmly believe that age doesn't dictate one's capacity for connection. It's fear, anxiety, and sadness that can hold us back from pursuing meaningful relationships.
As I look around at my newfound circle of friends, I'm reminded that happiness is a powerful feedback loop – the more we cultivate joy in our lives, the more interesting the world becomes, attracting like-minded individuals who share our passions. In this sense, my mid-30s have become a period of self-discovery and growth, not just for me but also for those around me.
Perhaps it's time to reevaluate the notion that friendships must be limited by age or circumstances. The proof is clear: once we dedicate time to nurturing ourselves and embracing our unique qualities, the world opens up to a plethora of amazing people who are eager to form lasting connections with us.
i'm totally inspired by your story 
! it's amazing how we can get stuck in our ways of thinking about friendships, right? but the fact that you took matters into your own hands and joined a dating app for friendship is super brave 
. i love how you didn't give up even when faced with rejections - that's so important to remember 
. it sounds like you've found an amazing community of like-minded people who share your passions and values 
. keep being your awesome self and spreading joy wherever you go 
!
thats so cool that u found ppl who get u like rachel and elvira btw they sound super cool 
what app did u use besides bumble bff? was it timeleft like u mentioned or somethin else 
For me, it's the same thing – I was feeling kinda lost after turning 30 and had almost given up on finding new friends.
And I love the part about how happiness being a feedback loop – it's so true! 
. And honestly, age is just a number - we're all at different stages of our lives and growth 
. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things 
. It's all about being open-minded and embracing the possibilities 
Dating apps for friends? It's crazy how desperation can make you try weird stuff. But hey, it worked out for this person, right? I mean, I've been there too - trying to find people who understand you when you're 30 (or even older) can be tough.
I feel like this article hits so close to home! I've been there too, trying to find friends as an adult, only to face rejection or awkward meetups 
. But it's also made me realize how much we can benefit from stepping out of our comfort zones and putting ourselves out there 
! 
I'd rather put myself out there and risk getting rejected by someone who's not into indie music than rely on some fancy machine to do the matchmaking.
. But now that I'm here, I see how easy it is to get stuck in our comfort zones and miss out on new connections. 
? The main thing is, being open-minded and willing to put yourself out there. It's not about finding "the one" right off the bat; it's about finding people who get you and share your passions 
. But when we focus on growth and happiness, that's when the magic happens 
.
. And hey, even if it takes a few tries (or rejections) to find your tribe, it's worth it 
. And what if you're swiping through profiles and all you see are people who are already cool and popular in their social circles? That's not exactly going to give you a chance to form meaningful connections with someone who's "just as curious" 
.
. As we get older, our values and interests often become clearer, and it's hard to find people who genuinely align with us.
. You end up on one more "disastrous date" or feeling like you're just not compatible with someone because of the algorithm 
i mean what if you're not desperate? just because you're not trying to find a partner does that make you any less worthy of having meaningful connections?
.
It's all about being open to new experiences and not judging people based on preconceived notions. The hardest part is letting go of our fears and anxieties, but it's so worth it in the end 
And btw, I'm loving the idea of using apps to find like-minded people who share your interests 
. It's not about being desperate or anything, it's just about being open to new experiences and meeting new people 
.
.
, so yeah let's all just be a bit more open-minded and adult about forming new friendships