5 Clubn Tips for Making Friends as an Adult

When you’re going through school, you have lots of time to focus on making friends and building relationships. You are surrounded by people of the same age as you and it’s usually easy to find at least one person who likes the same things you do. However, when you get older, the social scene is much more difficult to navigate. Work or family commitments can get in the way, and it’s harder to branch out to meet new people. Here are some helpful tips on how to make (and keep) new friends at any age.

1: Join an Offline Club

Whether you’re into reading, video games or sports, there’s bound to be a club out there for you. Clubs are great because, usually, they have been started by people who want to meet like-minded individuals, so they can share their passions. If you don’t have a hobby yet, find one! Many communities offer meet up groups, amateur societies or board game nights where you can go and have a little fun while meeting new faces.

2: Learn a New Skill

Occupy your time by learning a new skill. Wish you could cook up a feast? Try a cooking class. Always wanted to perfect those drawing skills? Join an art class. Not only will you be able to connect with people who also want to make new friends, but you will be enriching your own skills and abilities–double win!

3: Volunteer

If you have the time and want to get that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you do something good for other people, consider volunteering your time. Visit your local hospitals, charities, and care homes to find out if they need any help.

4: Get Online

It’s not only single people looking for love who can meet online and chat. There are lots of social apps and websites like Steemit available that are designed to specifically introduce you to new people and get potential friends chatting. If you don’t like the idea of swiping left or right on a new friend, try searching for local websites. Facebook is always a great way for finding local meet-up groups as well. The great thing about online friends is that if you’re a little shy, you can build up a friendship from the privacy of your own home until you’re ready to meet up.

5: Work With What You’ve Got

While there are lots of places and things to do to make it easier to meet new people, you are bound to have a multitude of possibilities right at your feet. Join in those water cooler conversations at work, and be proactive about accepting invitations to any after work drinks and social engagements. If you have children, try to join in with conversations in the playground or take your dog to the dog park and chat with fellow canine fanatics. Ask established friends to introduce you to their social circles or to invite you out when they are meeting others. This may all be a daunting prospect, but it will pay off if you keep trying.

Making and keeping new friends can be a difficult and scary process, but the most important thing to remember is that getting people to hang out with you is about being someone that people want to spend time with. Learn to listen, ask questions, and show people that you are a friend worth having.