The school playground is gone, and third spaces are disappearing. Now that I’m in my 20s, how do I make friends?

Scrolling through TikTok, one thing is alarmingly clear: a lot of young women are lonely or searching for community. Everyone seems to want that core group of girls, yet, despite so many longing for the same thing, the problem isn’t solving itself.

We could blame hyper-individualism, the rising selfishness mislabelled as self-care, or the demanding working lives of young people. But the truth is, meaningful friendships require one thing: intentionality. If you search for community, you will find it.

My guest, Dayo, knows this firsthand. After moving to Manchester, she had to start from scratch in the friendship department. Meanwhile, I spent 2024 intentionally seeking out and cultivating new friendships.

Join us in this episode as we share our thoughts, stories, and reflections on finding friends and building community in your 20s. Whether you’ve moved to a new city, are searching for your group of girls, or simply want to grow and expand your circle, our experiences might offer some guidance—or at least make you feel seen.