CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY
The changing nature of friendships
Post-pandemic loneliness is driving young adults to look more closely at their current friendship circles and seek out new friendships more intentionally, especially as 53% of global Gen Zs tell us that their friendships/the people they spend time with are most important to their identity. However, the way young people are approaching friendships has changed as our lives have changed since the pandemic. More people than ever before are working remotely. Some have moved out of cities. Even DoorDash has changed the way we interact with others. Read on to find out more about how friendships are evolving for young people in the modern world.
QUIET QUITTING FRIENDSHIPS
As Cassandra continues to explore all the ways Gen Z prioritizes their relationship with themselves, a new trend has caught our attention that is yet another example of Gen Z boundary setting. We’ve all heard of “quiet quitting” jobs - but now “quiet quitting’ a friendship” has become something of an unexpected development in conflict avoidance. Instead of being ghosted, in which there’s a sudden major change in communication, someone may choose to ease out of a friendship intentionally but gradually over a period of time. For the person being “quitted,” it may make them question whether they are truly being dismissed or simply overthinking it until, sadly, there comes a day where all communication is cut off completely.
— Shae, 25, TX (Cassandra Collective)
BUMBLE BFF APP
While technology can be one of the causes of loneliness for Gen Z, it can also be one of the cures. For people looking to create new friendships, Bumble has an answer. Back in July, the dating app announced a separate app called “Bumble for Friends” aimed at helping people make new connections. Currently launched in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the Philippines, the U.K., and the U.S., users can now create a profile outlining their interests and what kind of friends they are looking for and then can swipe through profiles with similar interests — just like in the Bumble app — and match with other people. According to TechCrunch, the company is also rolling out a group chat functionality to plan meetups that suggest pre-written prompts for activities such as “Meet for coffee,” “Let’s grab a bite,” “Live music or a show,” and “Game night.”
— Alexis, 24, AZ (Cassandra Collective)
HELLO DARLING
Hello Darling is a potentially game-changing new dating app that you don’t actually use! Instead, the app converts your bestie into your matchmaker. Based on the premise that your closest friends know you better than you know yourself, the platform assigns one of your besties as your weekly matchmaker, who will select your dates and swipe on your behalf. After swiping, their job is done, but you still don't need to lift a finger. When you get a match, the app makes a reservation at an agreed-upon venue on your behalf. All you have to do is show up and see what happens!