Mona Chalabi: What makes a friendship last? 

What makes a friendship last? 

Sustaining friendships -- and making new friends -- can be challenging, even when we know it's important. So how can we make our friendships last without feeling overwhelmed? And is there a formula to follow for making new ones? To find out, data journalist Mona Chalabi turns to her most trusted sources: data and her mum. Want to hear more from Mona? Check out her podcast Am I Normal? with Mona Chalabi, from the TED Audio Collective.

Maintaining close friendships can feel daunting, especially as life changes and isolation sets in. Studies show that while people keep roughly the same number of friends over time, more than half of those relationships will eventually change faces. Turning acquaintances into real friends demands sustained, quality time—sometimes up to 200 hours. Yet, true connection depends not on chasing numbers, but on intentional communication and small acts of reaching out.