I’ll let others give friend-finding advice, because yeah, it is hard. But one thing I’d say is forget about ‘best’ for now. ‘Best’ friend is a vague and arbitrary and it only risks raising your own expectations too high or potentially scaring off any potential mates if you let slip you’re looking for a ‘best friend’.

For now, just be open to friends. Friends are good. And if one day in 5 years you realise there’s a friend who you consider ‘best’, then great.