The Friendship Gap in Adulthood
Why making new friends in your 20s and 30s is harder than it should be — and what we can do about it.
Making new friends as an adult is strangely difficult — and it’s not just you. The older we get, the fewer natural opportunities there are to form close, consistent connections. Gone are the days of lunch tables, after-school clubs, and college dorms. Instead, adulthood often comes with busy schedules, geographic moves, and responsibilities that leave little space for building new relationships.
But connection is still deeply important. In fact, loneliness has been shown to impact both our mental and physical health — and it's on the rise. Studies show that adults in their 20s and 30s are among the loneliest generations, even though we're more "connected" than ever.
So why is friendship so hard to come by? Part of the problem is the lack of structure. Without shared environments or regular interactions, it takes a lot more effort to meet new people — and even more to maintain those connections. It’s not always about confidence or social skills. Often, it’s just about access.
That’s why we built Bean: to give people back a space where friendship can be intentional, easy, and human. Whether you’re new to the city, want to deepen your social circle, or simply crave more meaningful connection, Bean is designed to help you meet people in a way that feels natural and true to who you are.
Our approach is centered around real-world events, thoughtful profiles, and shared values. It’s not a dating app. It’s not a networking tool. It’s a friendship platform — and it’s long overdue.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “Where do adults even make friends anymore?” — you’re not alone. And now, you don’t have to do it alone either.