Do you want to make friends as an adult? Most adults do, but many are afraid to admit it. As humans, we crave connections with others, even small ones. When we isolate ourselves for long periods, it can lead to issues like depression and anxiety.
I am on a journey to get out of the house more and start building my community. Right now, most of my days are spent home alone with my children. The only people I talk to regularly are my boyfriend and parents. It can be lonely with no other adults around. I always tell myself I’ll make friends and start getting out more, but I can’t really make friends from my couch, can I?
So, how can you and I make more friends as adults?
– Join groups or clubs
– Attend events
– Use social media
– Reconnect with old friends
Join Groups or Clubs
When it comes to making friendships as an adult, proximity matters. Many of our friendships start simply because we are often in the same area. In college, I made many friends with people in my dorm building. If we didn’t live so close, I don’t think I would have been friends with them—not because they weren’t good people, but because we had different interests and hobbies. Joining a club or group you find interesting places where you near people with at least one similar interest. This could open the door to a new friendship.
Attending Events
Just like with groups or clubs, you can meet new people by attending events. For me, getting out of the house is always a challenge because I can always find an excuse not to go. For example, the kids might get tired. But in reality, we could just leave a little early if that happens. We don’t need to stay home for something that might not even happen. Getting out of the house is important not just for making friends but for your mental health. Even if you don’t make friends at an event, at least you gave yourself the opportunity to make connections and have fun.
Use Social Media
Just like dating, there are websites for making friends. There are also groups you can join on social media, such as Facebook. Personally, this one doesn’t work well for me. Most of the time, you must be willing to send the first message and realize that not every person you message will be compatible with you. I have seen many others in my Facebook group make friends successfully, though. With this option, you just have to be willing to put yourself out there. For me, talking in person is easier, and I never feel comfortable just randomly writing to people.
Reconnect with Old Friends
Many of us still have friends—life just happened. When people grow apart, move away, or lose communication, it’s usually not because you’re no longer friends but because of life. As adults, we have different schedules, situations, and so on. When you reach out to old friends you miss, you reopen the door to that friendship again. And who knows, they may have missed you too but didn’t want to reach out first. Many of us let old friendships die out simply because we thought they didn’t have time for us. I know I have. But as adults, we must understand we all have busy points in our lives. It doesn’t mean we don’t care about our friends.
Maintain friendships
To keep friends, you must make time for them, just like anything important in your life. You can call, text, or have outings. You don’t need to spend every day with them, not even every week. But reaching out occasionally shows someone you care about them and your friendship.
Conclusion
Now that we all have tips for making friends, let’s get out and start making connections. The more connections we make, the happier we will feel, even if they don’t end up as friendships. Building a sense of community is what matters. Good luck with your search for friends while building those connections.
random rambles 
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