A young Australian woman has revealed the terrifying reality of trying to make new friends as an adult.
Melbourne paramedic Grace is used to keeping her cool in high-pressure situations, but when it comes to making friends, her palms start to sweat.
And she’s not alone: Millennials and Gen Z have revealed that meeting new people causes crippling anxiety.
Grace found herself needing to expand her circle when many of her friends began moving on to the next phase of their lives by getting married and having babies.
Now, at 30, she has realized how difficult it can be to meet new people as an adult.
While it was an easy “norm” for previous generations, it is something that Millennials and Gen Z struggle to achieve correctly.
In February, Grace stepped out of her comfort zone by asking a retail store employee if she would like to grab a coffee.
“I was really nervous. I felt like I was asking someone out and I was really worried about being rejected,” she told FEMAIL.
Grace from Melbourne is trying to meet new people, something thousands of Millennials and Gen Z want to do right now.
In February, the 30-year-old stepped out of her comfort zone by asking a shop employee if he wanted to grab a coffee. “I was really nervous. I felt like I was asking someone out and I was really worried about being rejected,” she told FEMAIL.
“I’d never had to ask someone out with a friend before, so it was new territory.”
She had spoken to the employee several times while shopping at the store. To her surprise, the young woman told her that she “needs friends too.”
Grace said the coffee date went “incredibly” well and the two have become close friends.
“She already knew a little bit about what was going on in my life because I had been buying clothes for different reasons and events; we got along like a house on fire,” she said.
‘She came to my 30th birthday, we took our dates on a double date to the Queen Vic night markets, and she’s coming to girls’ night this weekend to meet some of my other friends.’
Grace said she has always struggled with social anxiety and has never been a big drinker or someone who partied a lot.
She met her current friends at school, college and work, and hopes to meet new people in other ways, such as by sharing an interest or hobby.
Grace said the coffee date went “incredibly” well and the two have become close friends.
“I’ve been through some of the hardest things in my life over the last four years and it was incredibly difficult to get through them because I felt so alone,” she said.
‘Even though I had some friends, they were all getting married and having babies and I felt it was really hard to find time with them.
“It’s been amazing to be able to find friends who are more in line with where I am in my life.”
After sharing her experience in a now-viral TikTok video, Grace received a flood of comments praising her confidence, with others admitting they’d like to make more friends too.
“I would love to come and make some friends,” wrote one.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new friends,” said another.