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Making friends as an adult can be more of a challenge than it was when you were a child. As children, we make friends at school, but as an adult, it’s more difficult. It can be hard to meet like-minded people to make friends with if you’re single, don’t have roommates, work freelance, or have moved somewhere new for a job or a relationship. Here are some ideas to help you meet and make new friends as an adult.
Find meetups for your interests
Joining something new doesn’t always have to be as formal as a club or class. Look online for meet-ups for things you’re interested in. Do you love to play Dungeons And Dragons? Do you love watching action movies, or reading historical fiction? There’s probably a meet-up you can go to online or in person. Check forums and local newspapers for some ideas.
Take a class
Always wanted to learn how to make your own clothes or how to bake cakes? Join an evening class. Whether you’re learning a language or car repair, you already know that you have something in common with everyone in the class. Be friendly, and chat to people in your class. Suggest a drink after class to someone who seems nice, and you could soon become great friends.
Ask your existing friends
If you have some friends in the area but want to meet more people, ask the friends you already have to introduce you to their friends. This can be very effective, especially if you’ve moved to a new city where you only know a handful of people. Ask if you can join them when they meet up with other friends. If your friends like these people, there’s a good chance you will too.
Join a club
A club of some kind, whether it’s a sport or a book club, can be a good way to meet people. Sign up for five-a-side football, a book club, or a motorbike club, and you’ll be swapping stories and recommendations for sports gear, books, and Motocross Accessories in no time. Like joining a class, invite people from your club out for a coffee or a glass of wine when the club finishes for the day.
Look for support groups
If you’re struggling to make friends because of a challenge like being a carer to elderly parents, or after a move due to a divorce or bereavement, you could look for a support group for people in your situation. This can be work well, as not only will you be able to get some much-needed support, but you’ll also meet people who understand your situation. You can skip the unpleasant stage of meeting new people where you have to answer difficult questions about your life, as everyone in the room has the same experience. There are support groups for all kinds of things, from living with a chronic condition to being a struggling new mum.
Making friends as an adult takes some bravery and putting yourself out there. Bite the bullet and meet someone new.
Growing Forward 