Why is making friends harder as an adult?
- Work, family, and errands leave less free time.
- Fewer settings bring the same people together every week.
- Many people wait for someone else to make the first move.
10 tips that work
- Join something that meets weekly.
- Go back to the same places so faces become familiar.
- Make the first invitation. Most people are glad you asked.
- Follow up within a week of meeting someone.
- Suggest a specific plan, not "we should hang out sometime."
- Reconnect with old friends you lost touch with.
- Say yes to invitations, even small ones.
- Be curious. Ask questions and remember the answers.
- Host something simple, like a dinner or game night.
- Be patient. Closeness takes time.
By the numbers
- In a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 8% of U.S. adults said they have no close friends. (Pew Research Center)
Frequently asked questions
Where do adults make friends?
Common places include work, classes, clubs, volunteering, faith communities, sports leagues, and friend apps.
Is it weird to ask someone to be friends as an adult?
No. Most adults would like more friends. A specific invitation is usually welcome.
