Linda Kelly from KELLY MENTAL HEALTH: making friends in 2026 feels hard - Acadia Broadcasting
It’s time for another weekly mental health check‑in with Linda Kelly of Kelly Mental Health, and this week’s conversation hit on something a lot of people in Thunder Bay are talking about: making friends as an adult. If you scroll through social media, you’ll see it everywhere — people openly posting that they’re looking to […]
It’s time for another weekly mental health check‑in withLinda Kelly of Kelly Mental Health, and this week’s conversation hit on something a lot of people in Thunder Bay are talking about:making friends as an adult. If you scroll through social media, you’ll see it everywhere — people openly posting that they’re looking to meet new friends. It’s honest, it’s vulnerable, and it’s becoming surprisingly common. Linda says it makes sense. Thunder Bay has always had a bit of a “clicky town” reputation. In the winter, it’s too cold to go anywhere. In the summer, half the city disappears to camp. That alone makes it tough to meet new people, even before you factor in busy schedules, family life, and work. Before social media, friendships formed through everyday interactions — chatting with someone at a bar, meeting a friend of a friend, or striking up a conversation at an event. Now, we rely heavily on digital spaces. Linda jokes that she still has“millennial best friends”on Facebook — people she met once 15 years ago and never saw again, yet still follows online. Is posting online for friends a good idea?Linda says it can be. It might even beat Tinder — which, fun fact, now has a friendship setting. But she also points out thatreal‑life opportunities still exist: outdoor events, concerts, community gatherings, and hobbies. The challenge is that most of us are stretched thin. Even joining a soccer team becomes a juggling act between playing the sport and finding time to socialize. You should “act like the host”:Linda shared one strategy that genuinely works:act like the host. Whether you’re at a backyard BBQ, a concert, or a community event – approach people the way you would if they were guests in your home. Ask about them. Make sure they’re comfortable. Introduce them to others. When someone embodies that welcoming energy, people naturally gravitate toward them. It builds confidence and helps quiet the fear of rejection. Of course, friendship isn’t just about meeting people — it’s about knowing who truly belongs in your inner circle. Danny reflected on his own life: coworkers may be friends, but his closest relationships are with his best friends and family — the people he lets into his world every day. Linda adds that one way to identify “your people” is simple:who do you run to with good news?If someone isn’t on that list, it may say something about the relationship. And for those leaving toxic friendships or relationships, making new friends can feel scary. There’s a fear of repeating old patterns, which often leads to isolation. Linda sees this often in her work and reminds us that finding healthy connections takes time — and courage. So what’s the secret to becoming Linda’s bestie?Memes. Lots of memes. She calls herself a “meme king,” with a phone full of screenshots she jokes she’ll bequeath to her children someday. Friendship in 2026 may look different, but the heart of it hasn’t changed:connection, acceptance, and finding people who speak your language. For more mental‑health resources, visit: