I'm 30, and my best friend is 75. She's shaped how I approach relationships.

Tech Insider
Gill and Hannah, center, on a double date with their partners Howard and Brendan, standing outside a restaurant.
The author, second from right, has gone on double dates with her partner and her best friend Gill.

Courtesy of Hannah Wilkinson

I'm a Gen Z venture capitalist who felt lonely working from home. I started ballroom dancing despite feeling nervous and it changed my life.

Tech Insider
Charlott Page in a blue sparkly dress, competing at a ballroom competition with her coach Gian DiFranco.
Charlotte Page took up ballroom dancing earlier this year. It's improved her physical and mental health, and allowed her to make many friends.

Charlotte Page/ Starpoint Dancesport

The hidden value of a college degree: Graduates are much more likely to have friends

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy
college graduate smiling while being surrounded by friends
College graduates have more friends than people without degrees, according to a Survey Center on American Life survey.

Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

I'm 38, and one of my closest friends is 72. We have more in common than you might think.

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Sarah Klein and her friend Carolyn smiling and looking at the camera.
Sarah Klein met her friend Carolyn while volunteering with FriendshipWorks.

Courtesy of Sarah Klein

I'm a mom of 3 and prefer spending time with my child-free friends

Tech Insider
Three women sitting outside getting coffee together.
Melissa Noble (not pictured) enjoys spending time with her child-free friends.

Getty Images

Two lonely 25-year-olds met on Bumble BFF. Seven weeks later they're living together as 'platonic soulmates' who share a bed.

Tech Insider
Selfie of Estella Kyriacou in a pink cardigan and white top and Imogen Clarke in a yellow cardigan and white top.
Estella Kyriacou and Imogen Clarke met on Bumble BFF. Two months after meeting each other, they started sleeping in the same bed.

Estella Kyriacou and Imogen Clarke

I dated a younger guy until I learned he had another girlfriend. I became good friends with the other woman.

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Nadine robinson smiling in a selfie on the beach
The author befriended her ex-boyfriend's other woman.

Courtesy of Nadine Robinson

Making friends in my 30s is hard. I seek out casual interactions with strangers to feel less isolated.

Tech Insider
Headshot of comedian and podcast host Chris Duffy
The comedian and podcast host Chris Duffy says that he's found it hard to make friends as an adult.

Courtesy of Chris Duffy

I'm a boomer who moved to a new community and felt lonely. I made friends by doing things I cared about and staying active.

Tech Insider
Ellen Acconcia and her husband holding a notebook while outside in front of a mailbox that says
Ellen Acconcia and her husband moved to North Carolina early in 2020 and she had to find new ways to make friends.

Courtesy Ellen Acconcia

I met my best friend of 16 years for the first time at her wedding. It felt like a reunion with an old friend.

Tech Insider
Miranda and Demi Drew at Miranda's wedding reception, outside on a field of grass.
Demi Drew and her best friend of 16 years, Miranda, met when Miranda got married.

Courtesy Demi Drew

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