Making Friends As an Adult: Challenging But Not Impossible

Making friends at any age can be a challenge for some, but it can be especially difficult in adulthood when most of our days are filled with adult obligations instead of recess and soccer practice. However, even though making friends gets more difficult as we age, it doesn’t stop being any less important. In fact, one report in TIME Magazine says that that both family and friend relationships are associated with better health and happiness overall.

How can adults make friends, even with limited opportunities and time? We have some suggestions:

• Get involved in your community. You’re sure to meet some good people by getting involved in your community, whether it’s through volunteering for a local non-profit or just attending events that are available to community members.
• Pick up some hobbies. Figure out some hobbies you enjoy and start doing them in places where other people are. Do you like to run? Great! Consider joining a running club. Do you like to read? Read at Starbucks. Whatever you like to do in your free time, do it in places where like-minded people might be doing the same.
• Get out of your comfort zone. It might be uncomfortable to strike up conversation with someone at the gym, or to volunteer for an organization without anyone you know, but you might be surprised how much pushing yourself out of your comfort zone benefits you. What’s the worst that could happen?
• Reach back out to old friends. Someone has to make the first move, after all, and maybe they have been thinking about you too! Reach back out to an old friend for coffee and try picking up where you left off. You might be surprised at how well it goes!

Making friends when there isn’t a lot of time to do it can be a challenge, but don’t let it keep you lonely! Lots of people are in the same boat as you and would be thankful if you took the time to reach out to them! Taking risks is a big part of #adulting, even when it comes to making friends!