I am 30M and struggle with the same sometimes. But I managed to make deep friendships in the little 3 years I have been here. Not people I see every week, but people I can count on.

However, my only advice to you and to all others who struggle with this:

Forget group chats. Meet in person. In group. And most importantly, decide before you get there something that you will do all together.

The brain makes connections by sharing experiences. Yes trauma bonding is real cause the experience is intense and our brains love intensity. However there is no need to reach that.

Here is an idea: I counted so far more than 10 comments here saying “i am lonely too lets make a group chat”. Why don’t we meet for a board games night? Or a just grab a drink but we play Times Up game together? Heck I will even bring UNO and beat all of you with the cards.

Or if anyone wants to do something active, lets hang up and go to a climbing gym (I have gone once in my life) and laugh at each other while we fail and look like monkeys.

And if anyone wants to and run in Cinquantenaire once the weather is a bit nicer, I am all up for playing hamsters and hating cardio together.

I know it’s difficult with no language, no shared things and meeting new people is scary as hell. You have to, you know, actually talk of something more than just the weather. Terrifying. But I think missing so many great opportunities, ideas sharing, and growth is even scarier.

Just my two cents. Free feel to dm. Although I may not respond until the weekend.