What do you look for in a friend?
I’ve kept my eye on this question for awhile now and I’m really surprised that so few people have answered it seriously. Then again, I’m a bit stumped by how to answer it myself. At 25, in my case, friendships either just happen or they don’t. After a certain age, shared interests isn’t enough to create a friendship; however, it can serve to maintain old ones.
Most friends I have I made around 5 years ago or further back. Not every single one, but most. I don’t go out much so I rely on people I already trust; but some of those relationships have grown stronger over the years, so it’s not a bad thing.
Proximity became a real thing in my early twenties. My first roommate out of college, who I don’t see or talk to often enough, has become someone I really trust. Low-maintenance friendships are pretty great that way–I might not be communicating with this person every day, but I trust them more than some people I talk to far more often. Shared experiences matter a lot, hence proximity mattering.
Can’t guarantee this is the sort of answer you were looking for but I wanted to contribute. It’s a hard question to answer and worth discussing.