In college, it was easy to make new friends. There were always people around. I didn’t need to make plans — even going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you could run into a friend’s party.

But after that it became much harder. I had a few good friends, but it was tough to make more. I went to parties and networking events where I felt out of place. I joined a kickball league, a cooking class, took improv lessons. And sometimes, after weeks of awkwardness, I made friends, but often I didn’t. I’ve never been so frustrated.

I just wanted somewhere where I could show up each week to see people I like and meet new ones. Where I could feel comfortable without having to perform or convince someone I fit in. Somewhere where I mattered and it mattered to others that I was there.

This is many people’s story. We’re more disconnected than ever. We can all be alone in our homes, interacting with our screens. And this is the way we may be going. But there’s another possible world — one where everyone shows up.

We get to choose which world we live in. But we may be losing our chance to choose. If we don’t do it now, will it be too late?