I’ve made a new friend. But dare I show her the real me?
We hit it off, agreed to meet and suddenly we’re bosom buddies. But oh, the stress of always putting myself in the best possible light

TL;DR
- Making friends as an adult is described as excruciatingly anxiety-provoking.
- The author experienced significant stress over communication timing and presenting an effortless image.
- The friendship developed unexpectedly and quickly, with a strong initial connection.
- Shared mindsets, life stages, and senses of humor made the connection feel effortless and validating.
- The friend provided significant emotional and practical support during a difficult time.
- The author worries about not being as fun as she initially pretended to be, comparing adult friendships to old dating habits.