Katharina Buczek
For many adults at all stages of their careers and lives, the answer is no. And this fact can be extremely overwhelming and depressing.
With all of the somewhat forced social situations during our childhood and adolescence, it probably felt much easier to meet people and bond.
As we grow our own homes, families, and entire lives, though, it becomes super easy to feel isolated. On the flip side, stepping outside of this new “comfort zone” can also be extremely daunting.
But, just as friendship is encouraged when we are kids, it is also crucial for adults to have strong friendships, too. These relationships combat loneliness, offer companionship, and increase your sense of belonging, self-worth, and confidence.
Plus, having a great friend who you can kick back and relax with is just plain fun. And don’t we all deserve a bit of innocent enjoyment nowadays?
Figuring out how to actually make these friends is the hard part. Thankfully, though, there are a few foolproof ways for you to start connecting with others– whether that be out and about or even from the comfort of your own home. The only requirement for making friends is that you have to be willing to try.
How To Make Friends As An Adult
Before we dive into the various ways to meet new people, let’s just make one thing clear: you are not alone in this journey. Oftentimes, people can feel embarrassed or ashamed by their lack of friendships. These same feelings can even prevent them from trying to make new friends at all.
So, recognize that you are just one of the millions of adults who are looking for the same companionship as you are. And accepting this fact will make the process a bit easier to start.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. The first step to making friends as an adult requires some self-reflection. Have you ever been in a friendship that happened because of chance and not actual compatibility? I am talking about those mutual friends who you never really had anything in common with or the coworkers who just so happened to reside in the cubicle next to yours.
I propose we call these people acquaintances. Here’s why. When you are thrust into a social situation, it is only human to try to converse and relate to the people you are surrounded by. After that particular environment changes, though– for instance, you go home– you might not have anything else to talk about that is unrelated to the social situation. These “social situations” might include your weekend bar trips or your daily stints at the office.
