In this Episode: My Journey & Tips for Building Authentic Connections
Making friends in your 20s can feel harder than ever before. You’re no longer surrounded by classmates or coworkers, and everyone is busy navigating their own path.
I’ve personally experienced this challenge when I moved to the UK, and today, I want to share my journey, the lessons I’ve learned, and some tips for making genuine connections in adulthood.
My Experience Moving to a New Country:
- When I first moved to the UK, I had no family or close friends here.
- I joined WhatsApp and Facebook groups for influencers and forced myself out of my comfort zone to meet new people.
- Not every interaction turned into a friendship, but a few deep connections made it worth it.
- I’m still working on building authentic friendships and want to share this journey with you.
Why We Crave Close Friendships in Our 20s:
- Many friendships from childhood and school are situational—we became close because of proximity, not necessarily because of a deep connection.
- As we transition into adulthood, our priorities shift, and many friendships fade.
- In our 20s, we crave quality over quantity. It’s about making time for the people who truly matter to us.
Why Is It So Hard to Make Friends in Your 20s?
- Everyone is at different stages—some focus on careers, others on marriage or kids.
- People are busier, and it’s harder to maintain regular contact.
- Friendships require open communication, trust, and effort—things that can be harder to cultivate as we grow older.
- Relationships become more “low maintenance,” but quality interactions matter more.
Why Are Friendships So Surface-Level?
- Building deep, vulnerable friendships requires you to open up first. The level of connection depends on how much you’re willing to share.
- Questions to ask yourself:
- Do you want close, vulnerable friendships?
- Are you ready to feel a little uncomfortable to build those relationships?
- Do you genuinely vibe with the person, or are you forcing the friendship?
- Are you willing to put in the work to keep the friendship going?
Ways to Make Friends in Your 20s:
- Say Yes to meetups and events, even if they’re outside your comfort zone.
- Join groups or classes like book clubs, yoga, or creative workshops to meet people with similar interests.
- Engage in social activities like volunteering, sports, or hobby groups.
- Use online communities to find in-person meetups through platforms like Meetup.com or local Facebook groups.
If you’re struggling with friendships or looking for deeper connections, this podcast episode dives into all these challenges and more. Let’s grow and learn together!
Listen to the full podcast episode and connect with me on Instagram @healwithmalika for more tips and inspiration!
