Making friends can feel scary and overwhelming, but you’re not the only one feeling this way. You’re dealing with a whole range of new and complex issues. A close circle of friends can help you in dealing with new challenges, because your friends are dealing with the same things. Friendships and companions have a really big impact on well-being and how you feel – in the current day and age, it’s so important to be able to comfortably share your thoughts, feelings and struggles with your friends. Friendships are a unique type of relationship, different from family and romantic relationships because you get to fully choose your friendships.

Using the internet
If you’re struggling to find people who you connect with, social media is one of the greatest tools in meeting people. Online forums and social media groups that share interests such as video games, TV shows, or even hobbies you think no one else likes, are excellent ways of starting up a conversation. While the internet is amazing for finding friends, don’t shy away from the real thing – developing face to face connection is fundamental for any friendship, and is less scary than it seems.

Making friends
Proximity and common interests are really important parts of building friendships. We generally like those we see every day and people who share the same hobbies or traits as us, because then we have something to talk about. In high school, it may seem like everyone’s already got an established group of friends, making it hard to make new friends. However, school can really help in expanding social circles; being surrounded by people with common interests. You never know, you might just find someone who is a lot like you.

As a teenager, you’re still figuring out who you are, and dealing with the social pressure of growing up. Other people are going through the same thing and talking to them about it can help you become better friends. If you’re finding it difficult to talk to others your own age, try searching for common ground; maybe a viral TikTok or YouTube trend.

But remember, you should never have to feel like you need to change who you are to make friends. The reason they are your friends is to support you and make your life better, not harder. Therefore, being someone else just to make friends isn't the best idea. You are unique and special for a reason and the differences that you make you, you, are what will attract other people who are similar to you.