You’ve heard the age-old woe: making friends as an adult is hard. Once you’re no longer in college and working a 9-5 day in and day out, your options suddenly feel limited – and so does your energy.
Maybe it’s the near-constant stream of wedding photos on my Instagram feed finally getting to me. It’s not the white dresses, diamond rings, or extravagant parties that bother me; it’s the quiet fear that I might not have anyone to stand behind me in my bridal party. As someone who moved away from my home country at 17, I’m no stranger to loneliness, but this past year, it’s felt a little heavier. So for my New Year’s resolution, I’ve decided to approach making friends more intentionally.
Here’s everything I’ve tried so far in hopes of building my friendship circle:
1. Running Club
If I had told a 15-year-old me I’d be running for fun, I would have thought I was pulling my own leg. But what better way to make friends than through *shared trauma*? Jokes aside, most run clubs meet weekly, are a great way to stay active, and are one of the few truly free ways left to meet new people. All you need is a decent pair of shoes and the courage to show up.
2. Friend Apps
Think dating apps, but strictly platonic. I’ve had success with Bumble BFF, and there are a few other similar platforms I’d like to try. While meeting a stranger one-on-one can feel extra scary, it’s also an effective way to stretch your social muscles and step outside of your comfort zone. My biggest tip: invite people to something you were already planning to do; trying a new café or visiting the coolest local flea market keeps things casual and helps you quickly gauge compatibility.
3. Taking a Class
I’ve taken ballet at my local community college for several semesters now and found a handful of dance friends, making it a great way to meet like-minded people. Whether it’s pottery, jewelry-making, or woodworking, shared interests make great conversation starters. I’d also suggest committing to something longer-term rather than a drop-in class; it gives relationships time to form and allows everyone to get more comfortable.
4. Community Events
Local Facebook groups and sites like Meetup.com are underrated goldmines for connection. From silent book clubs and community game nights to social mixers and “sip and sketch” parties, these events make it easy to meet new people while supporting small businesses and local communities. As long as you choose something you genuinely enjoy, you can’t go wrong.
While I still haven’t found my group of lifelong friends, I truly believe each attempt has brought me closer. If nothing else, I hope this inspires you to put yourself out there and keep connecting. If you’ve cracked the code on adult friendship, I’m all ears, because I’m not giving up just yet.
Featured image via Ball Park Brand on Unsplash
