In my opinion, this is the most incisive reply in this thread.<p>The yearning for &quot;deep&quot; friendships reflects some underlying need. I tend to think few strong relationships develop as the result of deliberate effort. They arise naturally, at any age, as a result of shared experiences and a sense of mutual understanding.<p>My suggestion is to focus on your work, and perhaps try to find a romantic partner. Relationships inevitably emerge in the context of collaboration, and much &quot;loneliness&quot; is actually sexual frustration. Also consider imposing limits on the amount of time you spend alone in your residence and, if you can tolerate the compromises, roommates can help reduce the sense of alienation that comes with living alone.