Friendships in your 20s carry a different kind of energy—quieter, intentional, and often bittersweet. 

Adulating is the process where life starts to pull everyone in different directions—jobs, relationships, shifting cities, and personal growth journeys. Suddenly, it’s not about seeing each other every day, but staying connected through late-night texts, random voice notes, or other social media platforms. Unlike the effortless bonds formed during school or college, where closeness played a major role, adult friendships require more efforts. The emotional depth of friendships during adulating often grows stronger, even when time spent together shrinks. You begin to value quality over quantity. Friendships stop being about who’s always available, and starts becoming about who shows up when it truly matters. There’s a silent understanding that everyone is busy battling their own chaos, yet there’s still space for love, laughter, and support in the middle of it all.

To nurture friendships in your 20s, you need patience, honesty, efforts and consistency. Don’t wait for a “perfect time”—check in, even if it’s just with a meme or a short message. Celebrate their little wins, listen without judgment, and hold space when they’re struggling. Be the one who remembers birthdays without a reminder, or sends comfort when they’re too drained to ask.

Remember the viral meme (fact): The kind of friendship that don’t need daily validation but always feel like home when you return.

Why friendships at the age of 20’s feel different- and how to nurture them