Making friends when you’re older isn’t as easy as it was when you were a kid. It’s not like you can walk up to someone in a coffee shop, introduce yourself and then bluntly ask if they want to be friends as you would have done when you were younger on the playground. When you get older, making friendships becomes trickier and more difficult, especially after college. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. You just have to know how to do it right and you’ll be on your way to making lasting friendships!
So how do you do it? Read on for some great tips for making friends…
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Join groups that share your hobbies and likes
If you’re on a mission to make new friends create a list of things you like to do. Chances are there is a group devoted to that same thing in your community and you just have to find it! Whether it’s cooking, reading, gardening, running or anything else, there are sites that link up like-minded people. A quick Internet search can help you find groups in your area so that you can go out and mingle with people who are interested in the same things as you.
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Go on a “blind friend date”
You already know about “blind dates” for when you’re looking for romantic partners, but you can also try it when you’re looking for friends! Let’s say, for example, you moved to a new city and want to meet people. Simply ask a friend you know there to set you up on a platonic blind date with someone they know who lives near you.
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Set goals
Like many other things in life, make it a habit to set goals about making new friends when you go places. So the next time you are at a party, set a goal for yourself to leave with at least two new friends. This way you’re more open to meeting new people and will actually go out and start new conversations with people to meet your goal!
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Be patient
You’re not going to make friends overnight, which means you’ll have to be patient with the whole process. Don’t expect the next person you meet to be your BFF and know that it will take time to really deem them a friend. But after a while, you’ll notice the dynamics of your friendship changing, going from acquaintance to close friend in no time!
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Be yourself
The most important thing when making new friends is to simply be yourself. You want to make friends with someone who likes you for who are you and not something you’re not. Don’t try to be something that you’re not just to be liked by someone because later on when you show your true colors, they might not like you as much. Show your true self in the beginning so that they know exactly who you are. If they don’t like it then they shouldn’t be your friend!
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Put in work
Know that building friendships will take work. You’ll have to check in with them, go out and do stuff, set up plans and more if you really want to make the friendship work.
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Smile
Throughout your friend-finding journey make sure that you smile! It’s been scientifically proven that those who smile more a thought of as kinder, happier and more attractive, thus making them more approachable.
With these tips, you should be on your way to making friends in no time!
