For many of us, it's the age-old adage: life after 35 is a barren wasteland devoid of any meaningful connections. But the reality couldn't be further from the truth. I'm proof that forming new friendships doesn't have to be confined to the school playground or your first job.
When I reached my mid-30s, my social calendar was empty, and I felt like I'd lost touch with a part of myself. My friends had all moved on – some to suburbia, others to far-flung countries – while I was still stuck in the same old routine. The pang of watching them embark on new lives was almost too much to bear.
I knew that fitting in wasn't the answer; instead, I yearned for connections that felt more authentic. So, I reluctantly dived headfirst into Bumble BFF, the platonic version of dating apps. It was a daunting experience, but with each swipe, I felt like I was getting closer to finding someone who shared my passions.
My first friend, Rachel, turned out to be a kindred spirit – we bonded over our parallel childhoods spent at swimming practice, and despite being vastly different in other ways, our friendship has been nothing short of magical. We've swum together, eaten together, hung out with her dad, and even joined forces on a swimming event.
More recently, I stumbled upon Timeleft, an app that invites you to dine with six strangers. The experience was surreal – we were all matched by an algorithm, yet somehow found common ground in our desire for connection. Elvira, one of the other guests, turned out to be another unlikely friend, and her quick wit and acerbic humor won me over from the get-go.
I've also met new people through co-working spaces, exercise classes, monthly supper clubs, and even local cafes. These connections haven't been limited to women – I've found buddies in all sorts of unexpected places. And while some may attribute my success to being an extrovert, I believe it's more than that.
It seems there's a power in loving yourself before you can love another. When I found a measure of peace and discovered happiness, the world became more interesting – and as it did, others began to see me in a different light. The stats may suggest that making friends gets harder with age, but what they also say is that we should give up hope.
Age doesn't stop you from forming new connections; fear, anxiety, and sadness do. I believe that once you take the time to move through difficult emotions, you'll find that there are plenty of fantastic people out there waiting to be your friend.
When I reached my mid-30s, my social calendar was empty, and I felt like I'd lost touch with a part of myself. My friends had all moved on – some to suburbia, others to far-flung countries – while I was still stuck in the same old routine. The pang of watching them embark on new lives was almost too much to bear.
I knew that fitting in wasn't the answer; instead, I yearned for connections that felt more authentic. So, I reluctantly dived headfirst into Bumble BFF, the platonic version of dating apps. It was a daunting experience, but with each swipe, I felt like I was getting closer to finding someone who shared my passions.
My first friend, Rachel, turned out to be a kindred spirit – we bonded over our parallel childhoods spent at swimming practice, and despite being vastly different in other ways, our friendship has been nothing short of magical. We've swum together, eaten together, hung out with her dad, and even joined forces on a swimming event.
More recently, I stumbled upon Timeleft, an app that invites you to dine with six strangers. The experience was surreal – we were all matched by an algorithm, yet somehow found common ground in our desire for connection. Elvira, one of the other guests, turned out to be another unlikely friend, and her quick wit and acerbic humor won me over from the get-go.
I've also met new people through co-working spaces, exercise classes, monthly supper clubs, and even local cafes. These connections haven't been limited to women – I've found buddies in all sorts of unexpected places. And while some may attribute my success to being an extrovert, I believe it's more than that.
It seems there's a power in loving yourself before you can love another. When I found a measure of peace and discovered happiness, the world became more interesting – and as it did, others began to see me in a different light. The stats may suggest that making friends gets harder with age, but what they also say is that we should give up hope.
Age doesn't stop you from forming new connections; fear, anxiety, and sadness do. I believe that once you take the time to move through difficult emotions, you'll find that there are plenty of fantastic people out there waiting to be your friend.
i was feelin so empty n lonely after leavin my crew in their 20s but then i tried bumblebff n timeleft n it changed my life!! 
i met rachel on bumblebff n we bonded over our swimmin days 
i also found elvira thru timeleft n shes literally the queen of humor 
i used to think makin new friends got harder after 35 but it turns out u just gotta put urself out there & meet new ppl 
Did you see those stats on friendship formation? Like 75% of us form new friendships between 25-44, and only 21% do it after 50 
. And another thing, research shows that the key to forming meaningful connections is not being extroverted, but actually taking care of yourself first 
. It's all about loving yourself before you can love others! 
So like, this is so true for me too... I was at my lowest in my early 30s and just felt really disconnected from everyone around me. It made me wanna stay stuck in the same routine forever. But then I started using Bumble BFF and met this amazing girl Rachel 
, we bonded over swimming and stuff and now she's literally one of my best friends.
... it sounds weird but it actually worked out so well! We all had nothing to do with each other before but somehow connected. Elvira was hilarious 
... you don't have to be super outgoing or anything, just be yourself and you'll increase your chances of meeting someone awesome.
. With the rise of social media and dating apps, it's never been simpler to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar interests and values 
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. When you're in a good place mentally and emotionally, you become more confident and open to meeting new people 
. It's amazing how many authentic connections can be forged when you're not tied down by negative emotions or past experiences 
. Whether it's through co-working spaces, exercise classes, or simply striking up conversations at cafes, there are countless opportunities to form new connections 
. Instead of fearing that life after 35 is over, we should focus on embracing this stage of life with excitement and enthusiasm 
. With a little bit of self-love and an open heart, the world becomes a much more interesting and connected place 
.
... and i have to say im totally with the author on this one. like, i was at that stage in my life where i felt like all my friends had moved on and i was just stuck 
...and guess what? it worked! now i have this amazing group of friends who share the same passions as me 
. it just goes to show that you're never too old to make new connections.
...like, what even does that mean? anyway, point is, making friends shouldnt be about finding some deep profound connection (although thats nice too) but more about just being around people who make you feel good 
. what do u guys think? do u find it easier to make friends as you get older or is it all about putting yourself out there? 
I'm all about that adult friendship life! 
. It's like they're tryna isolate us from the rest of humanity. But I've been noticing that all these new friendships and connections are popping up everywhere - Bumble BFF, Timeleft, co-working spaces... it's like they're tryin' to bring us together 
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