Making Friends as an Adult

Adulthood… careers, marriage, bills, and losing friends? Studies show adults have a hard time making meaningful friendships. In a 2018 study by Cigna, the results showed that about 40% of people said they lack companionship and meaningful relationships.

Throughout our lives, we are force-fed communities of people that are our age and share similar demographics. From grade school to high school, children make friends with those they share classes or are on sports teams with. In college, students easily make friends with roommates or peers who share similar interests, such as those on their sports team or in their club. So, what changes after that?

Well, as adults, we go off to work in our chosen career and the focus on friendships becomes less. Our childhood and college friends move away or make big life changes, making it harder to keep up with those relationships. Many adults wonder, “How can I make new friends?”

Ways to Make New Friends as an Adult 

Making friends in adulthood looks different than making friends in your teens – but it is very possible to do! 

Befriend Your Neighbors 

Your neighbors likely have a lot in common with you – someone who lives in the same building or on the same street as you may be a good friend. They likely work nearby just as you do and may frequent some of the same restaurants or establishments you already love.

It’s a nice gesture to welcome a new neighbor with a small gift or even just stop by to introduce yourself. If things go well, over time, you could invite your new neighbor over for a glass of wine or dinner. You can even host neighborhood events, like a Superbowl watch party, and invite the entire neighborhood by posting signs and sharing them on social media.

Attend Meetups

Meet-ups are a great way to get to know adults with similar interests. Your college may have an alumni program where they host meetups between past graduates with similar majors or extracurricular activities. This can be a great way to connect with old faces or meet new ones.

There are also plenty of options on applications, like the app MeetUp, where folks can post events nearby for certain groups. For example, on MeetUp, you may find local clubs for hiking or meetings for real-estate agent networking. Every interest is covered on these websites, so it’s worth scrolling through and seeing if any appeal to you.

Join an Adult Sport Team

Exercise becomes even more crucial to our health the older we get, yet it seems like as we age – the less time we have for it! Joining an adult sports team is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. You’ll carve out a weekly time for exercise, and meet some new people, too. This is a great way to get active, meet new friends, and learn new skills!

Say Yes

How many times has a colleague or neighbor invited you to an event, and you have thought up an intricate excuse to get out of going? Everyone does it – new experiences and new people are intimidating! 

However, you never know what event you could really love until you try it. Try to say yes more – whether it’s going to that boxing class your coworker keeps asking you to join in on, or the annual barbecue that takes place on your street – once you get yourself out there, you might be surprised how many wonderful people you were missing out on.

Conclusion

Meeting new friends as an adult can feel daunting, but it’s as simple as putting yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and be yourself. Look for groups or activities in your area that appeal to you and try them out. Soon, you’ll realize there’s a network of potential friends everywhere you look!

Here’s the truth, you are overwhelmed, stuck and know something has got to change, but asking for help is hard. Most people think that their problems are not big enough for counseling and wait 8 years or more to reach out for help. At Compass Counseling we know that we all have mental health and you want to feel good about yourself and your relationships.  Over the past 8 years, we have crafted an excellent team of professionals that have served thousands of people in Western KY and we want to help you on your path to change.  Our Master's level therapists will support you and teach you skills to learn to manage the overwhelm and overcome your struggle. When you leave your first session, you will feel confident & ready to start on your path change. Connect with us today at www.compasscouseling.com or schedule an appointment. 

Download our Free E-Book 10 Questions to Ask Before Starting Counseling. Learn more at www.compasscounseling.com If you would like to schedule an appointment today click here!

Sources:

Half of Americans Feel Lonely, Study Finds | Fortune

Five Ways to Make Friends as an Adult (studentcaffe.com)

18 easy steps to making friends as an adult (ideapod.com)