Of course, time isn’t the only thing that forges a friendship. “A lasting friendship needs to be built on self-awareness, understanding and compassion,” explains life coach Puja McClymont. “This helps you to navigate any conflicts better and any some expectations about what you may need from each other. That way you know each other’s limits and can respect any friendship ‘rules’ you may have made.”

McClymont recognises that while the exciting buzz of any new relationship can feel all-consuming in the beginning, meaningful bonds can start to bloom from around three to six months, but often take a year to become fully fledged.

“This is because a lasting friendship also needs space for growth and change,” she shares. “As the years pass and there are changes in each person’s life, the friendship is also likely to change. Knowing this from the outset or even during the relationship will help to navigate those changes better and help you create a stronger bond that lasts longer.”

How long does it really take to become friends with someone?