How to Make Friends as an Adult in 2025

November 30, 2025

How to Make Friends as an Adult in 2025

Making friends as an adult can feel challenging, but it’s far from impossible. With the right approach and tools, you can turn everyday encounters into meaningful connections. Here’s how to make friends as an adult in 2025.

Embrace Real-Life Interactions

The foundation of any friendship is real-life interaction. Whether it’s a smile at the coffee shop, a chat at the gym, or a conversation at a local event, these moments are opportunities to connect.

Be Open: Start with a simple hello or a compliment. Most people appreciate genuine kindness.
Be Present: Put away your phone and engage with the world around you.
Be Consistent: Regularly visit places where you feel comfortable and can meet like-minded people.

Leverage Proximity-Based Tools

Technology can help bridge the gap between real-life encounters and lasting connections. Apps like Matuvu, a proximity-based social app, can help you reconnect with people you’ve crossed paths with.

Matuvu: This app shows you people you’ve been near in the last 24 hours. If both parties are interested, you can start a conversation. It’s simple, respectful, and open to all outcomes—friendship, affinity, or collaboration.

Join Local Communities

Joining local communities or groups that align with your interests is a great way to meet new people.

Meetup Groups: Websites like Meetup.com offer groups for various interests, from hiking to book clubs.
Volunteer: Volunteering not only helps your community but also connects you with like-minded individuals.
Classes and Workshops: Whether it’s a cooking class or a photography workshop, learning something new can introduce you to potential friends.

Be Genuine and Patient

Authenticity is key when building new friendships. Be yourself and let connections develop naturally.

Be Genuine: People appreciate authenticity. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
Be Patient: Friendships take time to develop. Don’t rush the process.
Be Positive: A positive attitude can make you more approachable and attractive as a friend.

Follow Up and Stay Connected

Once you’ve met someone new, don’t be afraid to follow up and stay connected.

Exchange Contact Information: If you’ve had a good conversation, suggest exchanging contact information.
Plan a Follow-Up: Suggest a casual meet-up, like a coffee or a walk in the park.
Use Social Tools: Apps like Matuvu make it easy to reconnect with people you’ve met in real life.

Practical Examples

At the Gym: You notice someone who goes to the gym at the same time as you. A simple smile and a hello can lead to a conversation. If you both have Matuvu, you might see each other on the app and decide to connect.
At a Local Event: You strike up a conversation with someone at a local art fair. You enjoy talking and decide to exchange contact information. Later, you see them on Matuvu and send a friendly message to continue the conversation.
At a Coffee Shop: You compliment someone on their laptop sticker, which leads to a chat about shared interests. You both download Matuvu and connect through the app to meet up again.

Next Steps

Download Matuvu: Available on the App Store and Google Play.
Engage with Your Community: Attend local events, join groups, and be open to new experiences.
Be Proactive: Don’t wait for others to make the first move. Be the one to start conversations and suggest meet-ups.

Making friends as an adult in 2025 is about embracing real-life interactions, leveraging technology like Matuvu, and being genuine and patient. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building meaningful connections.