Making friends as a kid was easy – you’d tell someone you liked their shoes and you’d instantly become best friends. Or maybe you bonded over your favorite dinosaur like Brennan and Dale. Now, off the playground, meeting new friends seems impossible. The main difference with making friends when you were younger vs. now is that you actually have to put the effort in, much like you would with someone you want to date, but probably not as much as you think. So if you’re struggling with finding new mates, here are some handy tips to make sure you’ve always got someone keen to hang out with when the weekend comes around or chat to when life gets a little tough. Say Yes to Plans With the Friends You Already Have
Have you noticed how your social life has become super quiet since entering adulthood? Yes, you have grown-up responsibilities, a full-time job, and maybe even a family which makes it harder to say yes as much as you used to. However, if you’re looking to make new friends as an adult, saying yes to the friends you already have is a good place to start. Maybe they’ve invited you out to a bar with some of their colleagues after work or to a party one of their friends from high school is hosting – whatever it is, just say yes. Simple, right? Going to events with your friends gives you the opportunity to bond with their friends or even make entirely new friends altogether. Connect With Co-Workers
We see our co-workers almost every day. They make the office a better place, you update them on what happened over the weekend, you eat lunch together, but many of us don’t take the time to connect with them outside of work where real friendships are made. Try inviting some of your work colleagues out and getting to know them on a deeper level. You’ll probably find you have a lot more in common than sharing a workspace. Reach Out to People on Social Media With Similar Interests
Men slide into DMs to meet potential girlfriends all the time, so why not do the same to meet potential friends? The entire purpose of social media is to make connections, whether they’re new or old. Start by looking at the accounts you follow and who also happens to follow them – already you’ve got something in common. For example, perhaps you follow your gym on Instagram. Going through your gym’s followers is a pretty good indication of who else also goes there. You could reach out to a few of them and suggest grabbing brunch and hitting the gym afterward. If you’re looking for more than just a gym partner, spend a little more time checking out their profiles before you try to make a connection. Do they like to go for beers every Saturday night? Are they big on nature? Do they enjoy traveling? Just a couple more seconds scrolling through their Instagram page can tell you almost everything you need to know. To find out the rest, send them a message! Attend a Networking Event
This one’s especially good if you work from home. If making friends as an adult is hard, then making friends over email is even harder. Going to a networking event is the perfect way to meet friends who are also like-minded professionals, you may even meet your new business partner. You don’t necessarily have to attend a networking event put on by the company you work for, in fact, it might be more exciting if you don’t. There are many networking events that you can attend from new founders to marketing experts – whatever field of work you’re in, you can bet there’s a networking event for it. Introduce Yourself Properly to Your Neighbors
While for the majority of us neighbors are just the people that we practice our fake smiles on, they can actually make great friends. Plus, they live just downstairs or across the street, so arranging plans to hang out will never be complicated. Now, you probably briefly introduced yourself when you first moved in to be polite, but now it’s time to do more than just smile at them from a distance. Instead of catching them as they’re about to leave the house or taking the trash out in their pj’s like you normally do, knock on their door, and invite them over for a coffee. You might be surprised and discover they’re so much more than just a neighbor. Become the Type of Friend You Want To Attract
If you’re always complaining and looking at the negatives in every situation, who would want to be friends with you? Making new friends as an adult starts from within. We attract what we are. Positive people are always surrounded by other upbeat people and those who love adventure are never far from someone willing to book a spontaneous trip. Friends are a direct reflection of who you are. Once you fully embody the type of friend you want to attract, sit back, and watch them present themselves to you in everyday situations. Leave the Weather Out of the Conversation
When you do strike up a conversation with a potential pal, please don’t mention the weather. This is basic acquaintance talk that you want to stay away from, or they’ll get the wrong idea. Anyone who talks to you about the weather isn’t trying to be your friend, it’s usually a distraction to fill the awkward silence. If you’re on a date and she mentions the weather, you know you’re probably not going to see her again. The same goes for friends. Avoid small talk and ask questions that you actually want to know the answer to, not “what do you think of the weather today?” This will set the tone and let them know that you want to get to know them on a deeper level. You’ll find that they’ll meet you halfway once they know this, making the conversation flow a lot smoother. But don’t forget you have to answer their questions in just as much detail back! Reach Out to Old Friends
As we get older, we lose touch with friends we thought we’d have for a lifetime. Sometimes, through no fault of our own, life gets in the way. You make plans that get rearranged for next week, then next month, then never. Many of us think of old friends and how much we wished they were still in our lives, but very few of us decide to do something about it. If they’re still on your mind after all these years, it may be worth reaching out to them and seeing if you still share a connection. You may find that you don’t have much in common anymore, or you could discover that you have more in common now than you ever did. Either way, if you still think about them, it’s worth a shot. Plus, they’ll be no awkward silences as you’ll have plenty to catch up on. And if you do rekindle your friendship, you could meet a whole new circle of friends through them. But remember, this is a bonus, not the reason why you’re reaching out – no one likes a user. Be Open-Minded When It Comes to Age
If you’re struggling to make friends your own age as an adult, try making friends from different age groups. They’ll give you a whole new perspective on life that you won’t get from hanging around with people the same age as you. Younger friends will give you a new lease of life, whilst older friends can offer invaluable advice having lived through it themselves. So, the next time you’re out and looking for someone new to chat to, try to make friends with someone of an age you’re not familiar with. Join a Sports Team or Club
Being part of a sports team or club is like being part of a community, you support each other which no doubt goes beyond the pitch. You also have regular meet-ups and guaranteed social events, unlike those friends you haven’t seen for weeks. And you don’t have to be a professional athlete to get involved. It can be a low-key, play-for-fun type of sport, or more serious competing against other counties if that’s what you’re after. Take Adult Classes
A lot of your high school friends would’ve been made just by sitting next to each other in class, so why not recreate that environment with adult classes? Are you looking to learn how to paint, become a better cook, or learn a new language? The possibilities are endless. But make sure to choose a class that you’re actually interested in so you’re able to positively share the experience together. Embrace Being Vulnerable
You’ve probably been in several situations where you’ve seen someone that you’d love to friend-zone but felt too nervous to approach them and before you know it, they passed you by, and the opportunity to make a new friend was gone. Fear of rejection can stop us from doing many things, we’re only human after all, but if you’re serious about making friends, you need to embrace being vulnerable. This means walking up to a stranger, introducing yourself, starting a conversation, and inviting them out. But it also means being open and honest when you do finally meet. The best type of friendships are built on vulnerability. Don’t be scared to be yourself around them. Let them know your greatest fears and dreams. You want friends who can fully accept who you are, if they can’t what kind of friend are they anyway? Not everyone is going to feel a connection with you, just like how you don’t feel a connection with everyone (otherwise you’d have more friends than you can count and definitely wouldn’t be reading this right now.) Being vulnerable is all part of making friends as an adult, sometimes it’ll work out and sometimes it won’t, but if you remain a closed book, you’re guaranteeing that it won’t.
See more about - The Art Of Male Friendships And How To Be A Good Friend
Making friends as a kid was easy – you’d tell someone you liked their shoes and you’d instantly become best friends. Or maybe you bonded over your favorite dinosaur like Brennan and Dale. Now, off the playground, meeting new friends seems impossible. The main difference with making friends when you were younger vs. now is that you actually have to put the effort in, much like you would with someone you want to date, but probably not as much as you think. So if you’re struggling with finding new mates, here are some handy tips to make sure you’ve always got someone keen to hang out with when the weekend comes around or chat to when life gets a little tough. Say Yes to Plans With the Friends You Already Have
Have you noticed how your social life has become super quiet since entering adulthood? Yes, you have grown-up responsibilities, a full-time job, and maybe even a family which makes it harder to say yes as much as you used to. However, if you’re looking to make new friends as an adult, saying yes to the friends you already have is a good place to start. Maybe they’ve invited you out to a bar with some of their colleagues after work or to a party one of their friends from high school is hosting – whatever it is, just say yes. Simple, right? Going to events with your friends gives you the opportunity to bond with their friends or even make entirely new friends altogether. Connect With Co-Workers
We see our co-workers almost every day. They make the office a better place, you update them on what happened over the weekend, you eat lunch together, but many of us don’t take the time to connect with them outside of work where real friendships are made. Try inviting some of your work colleagues out and getting to know them on a deeper level. You’ll probably find you have a lot more in common than sharing a workspace. Reach Out to People on Social Media With Similar Interests
Men slide into DMs to meet potential girlfriends all the time, so why not do the same to meet potential friends? The entire purpose of social media is to make connections, whether they’re new or old. Start by looking at the accounts you follow and who also happens to follow them – already you’ve got something in common. For example, perhaps you follow your gym on Instagram. Going through your gym’s followers is a pretty good indication of who else also goes there. You could reach out to a few of them and suggest grabbing brunch and hitting the gym afterward. If you’re looking for more than just a gym partner, spend a little more time checking out their profiles before you try to make a connection. Do they like to go for beers every Saturday night? Are they big on nature? Do they enjoy traveling? Just a couple more seconds scrolling through their Instagram page can tell you almost everything you need to know. To find out the rest, send them a message! Attend a Networking Event
This one’s especially good if you work from home. If making friends as an adult is hard, then making friends over email is even harder. Going to a networking event is the perfect way to meet friends who are also like-minded professionals, you may even meet your new business partner. You don’t necessarily have to attend a networking event put on by the company you work for, in fact, it might be more exciting if you don’t. There are many networking events that you can attend from new founders to marketing experts – whatever field of work you’re in, you can bet there’s a networking event for it. Introduce Yourself Properly to Your Neighbors
While for the majority of us neighbors are just the people that we practice our fake smiles on, they can actually make great friends. Plus, they live just downstairs or across the street, so arranging plans to hang out will never be complicated. Now, you probably briefly introduced yourself when you first moved in to be polite, but now it’s time to do more than just smile at them from a distance. Instead of catching them as they’re about to leave the house or taking the trash out in their pj’s like you normally do, knock on their door, and invite them over for a coffee. You might be surprised and discover they’re so much more than just a neighbor. Become the Type of Friend You Want To Attract
If you’re always complaining and looking at the negatives in every situation, who would want to be friends with you? Making new friends as an adult starts from within. We attract what we are. Positive people are always surrounded by other upbeat people and those who love adventure are never far from someone willing to book a spontaneous trip. Friends are a direct reflection of who you are. Once you fully embody the type of friend you want to attract, sit back, and watch them present themselves to you in everyday situations. Leave the Weather Out of the Conversation
When you do strike up a conversation with a potential pal, please don’t mention the weather. This is basic acquaintance talk that you want to stay away from, or they’ll get the wrong idea. Anyone who talks to you about the weather isn’t trying to be your friend, it’s usually a distraction to fill the awkward silence. If you’re on a date and she mentions the weather, you know you’re probably not going to see her again. The same goes for friends. Avoid small talk and ask questions that you actually want to know the answer to, not “what do you think of the weather today?” This will set the tone and let them know that you want to get to know them on a deeper level. You’ll find that they’ll meet you halfway once they know this, making the conversation flow a lot smoother. But don’t forget you have to answer their questions in just as much detail back! Reach Out to Old Friends
As we get older, we lose touch with friends we thought we’d have for a lifetime. Sometimes, through no fault of our own, life gets in the way. You make plans that get rearranged for next week, then next month, then never. Many of us think of old friends and how much we wished they were still in our lives, but very few of us decide to do something about it. If they’re still on your mind after all these years, it may be worth reaching out to them and seeing if you still share a connection. You may find that you don’t have much in common anymore, or you could discover that you have more in common now than you ever did. Either way, if you still think about them, it’s worth a shot. Plus, they’ll be no awkward silences as you’ll have plenty to catch up on. And if you do rekindle your friendship, you could meet a whole new circle of friends through them. But remember, this is a bonus, not the reason why you’re reaching out – no one likes a user. Be Open-Minded When It Comes to Age
If you’re struggling to make friends your own age as an adult, try making friends from different age groups. They’ll give you a whole new perspective on life that you won’t get from hanging around with people the same age as you. Younger friends will give you a new lease of life, whilst older friends can offer invaluable advice having lived through it themselves. So, the next time you’re out and looking for someone new to chat to, try to make friends with someone of an age you’re not familiar with. Join a Sports Team or Club
Being part of a sports team or club is like being part of a community, you support each other which no doubt goes beyond the pitch. You also have regular meet-ups and guaranteed social events, unlike those friends you haven’t seen for weeks. And you don’t have to be a professional athlete to get involved. It can be a low-key, play-for-fun type of sport, or more serious competing against other counties if that’s what you’re after. Take Adult Classes
A lot of your high school friends would’ve been made just by sitting next to each other in class, so why not recreate that environment with adult classes? Are you looking to learn how to paint, become a better cook, or learn a new language? The possibilities are endless. But make sure to choose a class that you’re actually interested in so you’re able to positively share the experience together. Embrace Being Vulnerable
You’ve probably been in several situations where you’ve seen someone that you’d love to friend-zone but felt too nervous to approach them and before you know it, they passed you by, and the opportunity to make a new friend was gone. Fear of rejection can stop us from doing many things, we’re only human after all, but if you’re serious about making friends, you need to embrace being vulnerable. This means walking up to a stranger, introducing yourself, starting a conversation, and inviting them out. But it also means being open and honest when you do finally meet. The best type of friendships are built on vulnerability. Don’t be scared to be yourself around them. Let them know your greatest fears and dreams. You want friends who can fully accept who you are, if they can’t what kind of friend are they anyway? Not everyone is going to feel a connection with you, just like how you don’t feel a connection with everyone (otherwise you’d have more friends than you can count and definitely wouldn’t be reading this right now.) Being vulnerable is all part of making friends as an adult, sometimes it’ll work out and sometimes it won’t, but if you remain a closed book, you’re guaranteeing that it won’t.
See more about - The Art Of Male Friendships And How To Be A Good Friend
Making friends as a kid was easy – you’d tell someone you liked their shoes and you’d instantly become best friends. Or maybe you bonded over your favorite dinosaur like Brennan and Dale. Now, off the playground, meeting new friends seems impossible. The main difference with making friends when you were younger vs. now is that you actually have to put the effort in, much like you would with someone you want to date, but probably not as much as you think.
So if you’re struggling with finding new mates, here are some handy tips to make sure you’ve always got someone keen to hang out with when the weekend comes around or chat to when life gets a little tough.
Say Yes to Plans With the Friends You Already Have
Have you noticed how your social life has become super quiet since entering adulthood? Yes, you have grown-up responsibilities, a full-time job, and maybe even a family which makes it harder to say yes as much as you used to. However, if you’re looking to make new friends as an adult, saying yes to the friends you already have is a good place to start.
Maybe they’ve invited you out to a bar with some of their colleagues after work or to a party one of their friends from high school is hosting – whatever it is, just say yes. Simple, right? Going to events with your friends gives you the opportunity to bond with their friends or even make entirely new friends altogether.
Connect With Co-Workers
We see our co-workers almost every day. They make the office a better place, you update them on what happened over the weekend, you eat lunch together, but many of us don’t take the time to connect with them outside of work where real friendships are made.
Try inviting some of your work colleagues out and getting to know them on a deeper level. You’ll probably find you have a lot more in common than sharing a workspace.
Reach Out to People on Social Media With Similar Interests
Men slide into DMs to meet potential girlfriends all the time, so why not do the same to meet potential friends? The entire purpose of social media is to make connections, whether they’re new or old.
Start by looking at the accounts you follow and who also happens to follow them – already you’ve got something in common. For example, perhaps you follow your gym on Instagram. Going through your gym’s followers is a pretty good indication of who else also goes there.
You could reach out to a few of them and suggest grabbing brunch and hitting the gym afterward.
If you’re looking for more than just a gym partner, spend a little more time checking out their profiles before you try to make a connection. Do they like to go for beers every Saturday night? Are they big on nature? Do they enjoy traveling? Just a couple more seconds scrolling through their Instagram page can tell you almost everything you need to know. To find out the rest, send them a message!
Attend a Networking Event
This one’s especially good if you work from home. If making friends as an adult is hard, then making friends over email is even harder. Going to a networking event is the perfect way to meet friends who are also like-minded professionals, you may even meet your new business partner.
You don’t necessarily have to attend a networking event put on by the company you work for, in fact, it might be more exciting if you don’t. There are many networking events that you can attend from new founders to marketing experts – whatever field of work you’re in, you can bet there’s a networking event for it.
Introduce Yourself Properly to Your Neighbors
While for the majority of us neighbors are just the people that we practice our fake smiles on, they can actually make great friends. Plus, they live just downstairs or across the street, so arranging plans to hang out will never be complicated.
Now, you probably briefly introduced yourself when you first moved in to be polite, but now it’s time to do more than just smile at them from a distance. Instead of catching them as they’re about to leave the house or taking the trash out in their pj’s like you normally do, knock on their door, and invite them over for a coffee. You might be surprised and discover they’re so much more than just a neighbor.
Become the Type of Friend You Want To Attract
If you’re always complaining and looking at the negatives in every situation, who would want to be friends with you? Making new friends as an adult starts from within. We attract what we are. Positive people are always surrounded by other upbeat people and those who love adventure are never far from someone willing to book a spontaneous trip. Friends are a direct reflection of who you are. Once you fully embody the type of friend you want to attract, sit back, and watch them present themselves to you in everyday situations.
Leave the Weather Out of the Conversation
When you do strike up a conversation with a potential pal, please don’t mention the weather. This is basic acquaintance talk that you want to stay away from, or they’ll get the wrong idea. Anyone who talks to you about the weather isn’t trying to be your friend, it’s usually a distraction to fill the awkward silence. If you’re on a date and she mentions the weather, you know you’re probably not going to see her again. The same goes for friends.
Avoid small talk and ask questions that you actually want to know the answer to, not “what do you think of the weather today?” This will set the tone and let them know that you want to get to know them on a deeper level. You’ll find that they’ll meet you halfway once they know this, making the conversation flow a lot smoother. But don’t forget you have to answer their questions in just as much detail back!
Reach Out to Old Friends
As we get older, we lose touch with friends we thought we’d have for a lifetime. Sometimes, through no fault of our own, life gets in the way. You make plans that get rearranged for next week, then next month, then never.
Many of us think of old friends and how much we wished they were still in our lives, but very few of us decide to do something about it. If they’re still on your mind after all these years, it may be worth reaching out to them and seeing if you still share a connection. You may find that you don’t have much in common anymore, or you could discover that you have more in common now than you ever did. Either way, if you still think about them, it’s worth a shot.
Plus, they’ll be no awkward silences as you’ll have plenty to catch up on. And if you do rekindle your friendship, you could meet a whole new circle of friends through them. But remember, this is a bonus, not the reason why you’re reaching out – no one likes a user.
Be Open-Minded When It Comes to Age
If you’re struggling to make friends your own age as an adult, try making friends from different age groups. They’ll give you a whole new perspective on life that you won’t get from hanging around with people the same age as you. Younger friends will give you a new lease of life, whilst older friends can offer invaluable advice having lived through it themselves. So, the next time you’re out and looking for someone new to chat to, try to make friends with someone of an age you’re not familiar with.
Join a Sports Team or Club
Being part of a sports team or club is like being part of a community, you support each other which no doubt goes beyond the pitch. You also have regular meet-ups and guaranteed social events, unlike those friends you haven’t seen for weeks. And you don’t have to be a professional athlete to get involved. It can be a low-key, play-for-fun type of sport, or more serious competing against other counties if that’s what you’re after.
Take Adult Classes
A lot of your high school friends would’ve been made just by sitting next to each other in class, so why not recreate that environment with adult classes? Are you looking to learn how to paint, become a better cook, or learn a new language? The possibilities are endless. But make sure to choose a class that you’re actually interested in so you’re able to positively share the experience together.
Embrace Being Vulnerable
You’ve probably been in several situations where you’ve seen someone that you’d love to friend-zone but felt too nervous to approach them and before you know it, they passed you by, and the opportunity to make a new friend was gone.
Fear of rejection can stop us from doing many things, we’re only human after all, but if you’re serious about making friends, you need to embrace being vulnerable. This means walking up to a stranger, introducing yourself, starting a conversation, and inviting them out. But it also means being open and honest when you do finally meet.
The best type of friendships are built on vulnerability. Don’t be scared to be yourself around them. Let them know your greatest fears and dreams. You want friends who can fully accept who you are, if they can’t what kind of friend are they anyway?
Not everyone is going to feel a connection with you, just like how you don’t feel a connection with everyone (otherwise you’d have more friends than you can count and definitely wouldn’t be reading this right now.) Being vulnerable is all part of making friends as an adult, sometimes it’ll work out and sometimes it won’t, but if you remain a closed book, you’re guaranteeing that it won’t.
See more about - The Art Of Male Friendships And How To Be A Good Friend
See more about - The Art Of Male Friendships And How To Be A Good Friend
