I remember reading and commenting on this same article when it was posted a few years ago.
I agree with most of the comments posted here.
In a certain sense making friends is really very simple.
But, to paraphrase one of my favorite quotes, that does not mean that it is EASY.
It just requires CONSISTENTLY spending A LOT of time in a collegial atmosphere with someone. If you do that, assuming you have a few things in common and don't annoy the heck out of each other, you will inevitably become friends.
This is why people make such good friends in college or in the army.
But consistently spending a lot of time with someone you just met is not easy for most adults outside of a romantic relationship or a work thing.
It's the paradox of choice, we have so many activities going on and different options on ways to spend our time that we have a hard time being consistent with developing any one specific relationship.
I agree with most of the comments posted here.
In a certain sense making friends is really very simple.
But, to paraphrase one of my favorite quotes, that does not mean that it is EASY.
It just requires CONSISTENTLY spending A LOT of time in a collegial atmosphere with someone. If you do that, assuming you have a few things in common and don't annoy the heck out of each other, you will inevitably become friends.
This is why people make such good friends in college or in the army.
But consistently spending a lot of time with someone you just met is not easy for most adults outside of a romantic relationship or a work thing.
It's the paradox of choice, we have so many activities going on and different options on ways to spend our time that we have a hard time being consistent with developing any one specific relationship.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Paradox_of_Choice