Making friends can often feel a bit like dating \u2013 it can be awkward and vulnerable. And without the social infrastructure of school or work, it can be challenging to know where to begin.<\/p>\n
A conversation that recently trended on X argued that making new friends outside the biggest cities in the U.S. is just harder. \u201cUnless you\u2019re from there, or you move right after college, everyone\u2019s social circle is basically set to people they grew up with or worked with at 22,\u201d one user wrote.<\/p>\n
Even for those who have managed to develop connections, a survey by the American Friendship Project found that 40% of participants said they didn\u2019t feel as close to their friends as they\u2019d like.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Time and again, research shows that community is critical to our well-being. Having close friends is linked to better mental health outcomes and longer life expectancy. So, how do we meet people if not at school or work? And once we make a connection, how do we get the most out of it?\u00a0<\/p>\n
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