Somewhere along the way from childhood to adulthood we picked up responsibilities and put aside our ability to find and make friends easily.
Think back to when a trip to the playground ended in a ‘new best friend’ after about 20 minutes of sharing the swings with a stranger. Now ask yourself, “When is the last time I connected that quickly with someone new?”
Adult friendships are vital, not just to our mental well-being, but to our physical health as well. It’s been proven that having friends leads to less stress, less chance of heart disease, and longer life.
But where do we find these new friends?
Try a Meetup
Looking for some fun group activities in your area? Meetup.com is easy to use on your computer, tablet, or phone. Here you search for events of interest to you. You’re then presented with a variety of groups who like to engage in those activities, giving you a chance to meet several interesting people at once.
Use an App
In addition to dating apps, there are many friendship apps to help you meet people online that could develop into offline friendships. Here the goal is to find someone with like interests you may want to befriend.
Take a Class
Signing up for a class allows you to indulge in a new interest and at the same time meet someone new. Always wanted to cook gourmet dinners? Been thinking about taking flying lessons? Whatever interests you, this is a surefire way to meet new people.
Pick a Book
Your local library or independent bookstore is a great place to indulge a love of reading while at the same time, giving you an opportunity to get acquainted with someone new. Book clubs stimulate you intellectually. And you’ll meet people in the community who share a love for the written word.
Walk with a Furry Friend
If you have a dog, why not explore more than your own backyard? Take Fido to your local dog park. You’ll have an opportunity to meet other dog lovers, and at the same time, give your faithful furry friend a chance for a little doggie socialization. A win for both humans and canines!
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Meeting people doesn’t have to be complicated. Opportunities truly are everywhere. Be bold and try something new. You’ll be glad you did!
Resources
Adult Friendships – Part 1: Adult Friendships are Vital
Adult Friendships – Part 2: Making Friends as an Adult
Meetup
13 Best Apps for Making New Friends in 2022
Psychological Benefits of Friendships
The More Friends You Have, the Longer You’re Likely to Live
Image by Joseph Redfield Nino from Pixabay