Making New Friends
Making new friends as an adult is hard. Especially as an introvert! I am bad at keeping up with people so I have lost touch with lots of friends over the years. Also, when I’m struggling, my mental illness tells me to isolate and prevent anyone from knowing me or helping me. Also sometimes people change and your seasons of life no longer match up.
I highly recommend joining groups of people with a similar interest. I have made great friends by joining churches, volunteering, and taking yoga classes. Spend time with people doing what you like to do and they like to do! But often this is not enough. You need to strike up conversations with people and invite them to coffee. This is hard for an introvert! Taking a class is a great softball way to hang out…let’s go over the notes or practice something together!
I am in a season where I want to make new friends right now. However, I am so selective about the people I call “friends.” I know that I must get out more to meet more people. I have been volunteering at a local organization that supports farmers (tied to my work), and I am considering going to a few political party meetings. I have really enjoyed getting to know my next door neighbors. They are a sweet couple with a little boy and a big dog. We have pet-sit for each other. A couple months ago, we had a pizza night together which was delightful. I need to invite them over more often to keep the connection alive!
Work can be a great place for friends, too. I join groups at work too…special projects and special interest groups at work. I work remotely so it is often hard to bond. Sometimes I set up virtual calls with people at work just to get to know them and understand their role. Sometimes they are too busy, and sometimes they LOVE talking about themselves. Ask lots of questions and listen and react authentically to the answers. Don’t just talk about yourself or relate your own experiences. Appreciate another person’s point of view and experience without judgement.
These are some powerful women that I run into at work conferences, and I have a friend crush on them! They are so polished, smart, strategic, and classy. I want to be like them. Hoping to cultivate a deeper relationship this year.