How and where to find friends who lift you up?

I have a friend who is the biggest pick me ever and always rushes into dating men it doesn’t matter if they fit into high or low value she literally always dates anyone and it has gotten very frustrating to the point where whenever we have girls night she is always inviting her boyfriend and it’s so annoying and irritating because he always ends up ruining girls night

I met an older group of women and (gay) men while volunteering for a local charity. We all became very close and had such a bond that even though some of us don’t go there anymore we still keep in touch. They became very special to me and supported me (helped me move away from my abusive ex, helped my with my studies, gave me a fridge) that they feel more like my family than my own do. I just get along with older people better it seems at this stage in my life. They aren’t interested in partying etc and that’s exactly what I was wanting to avoid To level up my life!

There is a good FDS podcast on making female friends (and vetting), check that one out.

This video has some useful tips too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf5STE2VJKI

I’m going through the same thing—hoping to find ambitious, driven women with similar interests and ideologies. My therapist mentioned that it is usual that people need to see each other/pass each other/be around each other several, several times before friendships develop. Makes sense, I think that’s why making friends during school years seems easier because you are around the same people all the time, eventually you find someone you get along with or someone approaches you. I’m pretty introverted, tried the whole get-out-there-and-talk-to-people thing, and it just felt forced and superficial on my part. I’m new on this journey too so I’m going to tell you what my plan is—can’t say it’s worked yet cuz it’s still too soon lol but here’s my idea for myself. Like another poster mentioned, I’m going to try and find some groups to attend. For me personally, I’m going to look for a gardening group, or some sort of volunteer opportunity around that. It’s something I want to learn anyway. I’m going to start showing up and see what happens. Not going to force myself to talk to people, not going to go in thinking “better find out which person I want to be my friend.” Just show up, learn my trade, listen to others. Maybe I won’t find anyone compatible. Maybe after a few weeks or months I’ll start noticing “Hey, that chick always has the best flower pictures, I want to ask her how long it took her to grow them” or whatever. Maybe after a while of seeing the same people, I will make a connection. But I think it’s important to know that it is normal for it to take time. Maybe you find something that happens once a month, I don’t think it needs to be every week. Whatever is authentically interesting to you. Good luck on your journey!

That's logical, but again, I already know that. It's easier when you look at somebody else, but living your own life is very different. I'll try though, thanks.

Follow your passions/hobbies- you will meet great women at the gym, a cooking class, a book club, toastmasters, professional networking events, even 'professional' networking events that aren't industry specific so it's a social hour for professionals to potentially network at. There are lots of places to go, but the easiest way is to show up, do what you like and make friends with the other people who also CONSISTENTLY show up. There's no shortcut if you want reliable friends bumble bff isn't gonna help you. In fact I advise to stay off friendship apps (like bumble bff) bc they're just for people who are bored and too lazy to find something they want to do so they piggyback off potential new friends- you will rarely/never get a consistent friendship on the apps