I know it sounds a bit unusual - making friends online, but without any kind of dating story behind it. Whenever I mention that I’ve met some of my closest people on the internet, the first question I usually get is: “Oh, so did you two date?”

No. We didn’t. And that’s exactly the point.

I’ve always been the kind of person who loves to talk, to share thoughts, to hear different perspectives on life. But when you live in a limited sphere, surrounded by the same people and the same conversations, that can get... limiting. So a few years ago, I started exploring online spaces - forums, Discord servers, even Reddit communities that matched my interests.

At first, I was cautious. The internet can be weird sometimes. But then I realized that when you’re honest and clear about what you’re looking for - just friendship, nothing more - people actually respect that. And honestly, I’ve met some of the kindest, most genuine people that way.

I met one girl through a digital art community. We started chatting about drawing tablets and color palettes, and now, three years later, we send each other voice notes whenever one of us is having a rough day. We’ve never met in person (she lives in Finland!), but she’s become such a meaningful part of my life.

Of course, it’s not always perfect. Sometimes people misread your enthusiasm, or conversations fade out naturally. But that happens in “real life” too. I’ve learned to set boundaries and to be upfront. If someone’s expecting something else, it’s better to clear that up early than to deal with awkwardness later.

What I love most about online friendships is how diverse they are. People from completely different countries, cultures, and time zones - all connecting over something simple and shared. I’ve learned how to cook a Japanese soup from a friend in Tokyo and discovered an amazing indie band from Norway.

So yes - you absolutely can make true friends online, without any dating intentions. You just have to be honest, curious, and open-hearted. The internet is huge, but when you know what you’re looking for, it can actually become a surprisingly warm and genuine place - full of real people and real connections.