Adult Friendships – Part 2: Making Friends as an Adult
Making friends as an adult is a daunting idea for some.
For one thing, we’re swamped.
We get caught up in our personal responsibilities and business goals. That frequently means we don’t make time for a social life besides casual connections with our children’s friends’ parents and professional networking.
For many, there just doesn’t seem to be any time for making friends.
Now, undeniably, it certainly does require time to make friends. But thankfully, it can be less than you might think. You can start with these simple steps:
Look Back
Why reinvent the wheel? Instead, ask yourself who your friends used to be. Is it possible you can rekindle some old friendships? In this era of social media, tracking down your best friend from high school is easier than ever. Why not shoot someone a quick message, email or text to open up the conversation again?
Be a Listener
When in groups of new people, rather than working hard to be the life of the party, take a step back. Actively listen to people. This makes you more attractive to those around you (everyone loves a listener). And you are positioned to discover the things which intrigue you most about the others. It’s a way to learn about shared interests so you can more effectively initiate a friendship.
Move to the Next Level
Do you have acquaintances but aren’t quite ready to call them friends yet? Try opening up a little. Being vulnerable forges intimacy with others and deepens the friendship, taking it to the next level.
Stay Connected
Worried about how to hang onto the friends you have? If you want to keep people from becoming distant, check in with them once in a while. Send a text, make a call, set up a get together. By checking in regularly, you’re letting the other person know they’re important to you and worth your time.
Create a Group
Consider gathering your friends together in one place by creating a group of friends. There’s nothing more fun than hanging out with a group of people who enjoy each other’s company. Start simple, with a lunch date or drinks after work.
+++
If making friends is not easy for you, you are not alone.
A recent survey indicated many Americans do not have a lot of close friends.
In fact, the number of Americans who claim to have just three solid friendships is only 17% of the population. And 12% of adults say they have no close friendships at all.
But if you follow some of these suggested steps, you can increase the likelihood of being an exception to these statistics. And you can experience the benefits of adult friendships- both being a good friend and having good friends.
Resources
Adult Friendships – Part 1: Adult Friendships are Vital
The state of American Friendship: Change, challenges, and loss
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay