How to Make Friends

An Analysis on an Emerson Quote

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote from Emerson is particularly insightful in today’s hyper-connected world. I use the word “connected'“ loosely, for although many of us have lots of online friends, genuine in-person connections seem to have become rare.

I get questions from listeners of the Strong Stoic Podcast regularly regarding friendship. A very common story I hear is the following:

“I’m struggling with making friends. I work from home often (since COVID), and I can’t seem to make friends outside of work. When I do try, I find people don’t want to work on the friendship as much as I do, and that upsets me.”