Making friends as a kid felt so easy—just sit next to someone at lunch, and boom, you're best friends. But as an adult? It can feel nearly impossible. Between busy schedules, social anxiety, and the fear of rejection, forming new friendships can be daunting. So why is it so hard, and what can we do about it? In this video, we’ll break down the psychological and societal factors that make adult friendships challenging and offer practical tips to help you connect with others.

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Writer: Anjola Adebiyi
Script Editor & Manager: Kelly Soong
Voice Over: Amanda Silvera - www.youtube.com/AmandaSillvera
Animator: SunBiscuit
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong

References

Hall, J. A. (2018). How many hours does it take to make a friend? Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(4), 1278–1296. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518761225

Aditi Shrikant. (2025, January 14). 3 reasons it’s so hard to make friends when you’re older, from author Mel Robbins: “The rules of friendship completely change.” CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/01/14/mel-robbins-3-reasons-its-hard-to-make-friends-when-youre-older.html