Why Adult Friendships Feel Harder—and What Actually Helps Them Last

I used to think making friends was something you either had a knack for or didn’t. In school, friendships formed almost accidentally—shared schedules, proximity, and a lot of unstructured time did most of the work for you. But somewhere between careers, shifting priorities, and learning how to protect your energy, things changed. Conversations became more intentional, calendars tighter, and friendships—while still deeply wanted—started to feel harder to maintain.