Adult Friendships: how to make and maintain!

Adult friendships aren’t as straightforward and easy to make as we wish them to be. Truth is, as adults, we need to have the intention and put in the effort to make and maintain these friendships. As children, making friends was easier because we spent more time together in school, neighborhoods, or even within our families (we call this in psychology the proximity effect). Not only that, but these encounters made us experience and share vulnerability as we unintentionally went through many difficult and meaningful moments together (Remember the stress before exams or the joy of being on the same football team?). These factors are essential for building the foundations of friendships - meaningful and deep connections. Did you know that adults who believe friendships don’t need effort reported feeling lonelier after 5 years compared to those who understand the effort required? So, Show up to the volunteering groups. Make time to have coffee with your friends. Say yes to the reun...