How to Develop and Grow New Friendships

Friendship is a wonderful thing. A few good friends can make life a lot more fun and meaningful. It's also nice to have the support that strong friendships provide.

Many struggle to develop new friendships. Even when you're willing to do the work to find new friends, it's not easy to know where to start.

Try these strategies to bring new friends into your life:

1. Be bold.

Most of the people you see would love to have additional friends.

* There's no reason to fear rejection while attempting to make friends.

You're not asking for a loan or a date. People can appear disinterested for a variety of reasons.

They might be busy, having a personal challenge, or just having a bad day. You'll survive!

2. Start with the people you see each day.

Chatting with a stranger is more anxiety-provoking than talking to the person in the next cubicle.

Try to make your casual friendships more meaningful. You might already have all the people you need to create a strong social circle.

* Get to know the friends of your friends. You could quickly have more friendships than you know what to do with.

3. Stay in touch with all of your friends.

You've probably made plenty of friends over the years. You just haven't maintained the friendships.

A good friend is a rare commodity. Stay in touch and keep up with each other.

* You'll always have enough friends if you take the time to keep your friends close.

4. Take advantage of opportunities to get out more.

If you keep declining offers to go out, people will eventually stop asking. When you prefer to stay home, your social circle shrinks. Make a habit of saying yes.

5. Use the internet to your advantage. Even if you have zero friends, work alone at home, and don't have neighbors, you can still find people for socializing.

There are several meet-up groups online. Volunteer. Take a class. Plenty of others are in the same boat as you.

6. Be open to new people and ideas.

The people with the most friends also tend to be the most accepting.

The more judgmental you are, the fewer people you'll find that meet your strict criteria. Drop your preconceived notions of what a friend should be.

* It's possible that the best friend you could ever have will be nothing like you.

7. Be supportive.

The best friends are available 24/7. Be generous with your time, attention, and help. Helping others is satisfying and builds strong friendships. You can expect the same in return when you need help.

8. Be genuine in your interest of others. The most important part of connecting with others is demonstrating true interest in them.

Avoid the mistake of trying to make others interested in you. Focus on them, instead.

* Be curious.

Ask about their lives, hobbies, hopes, and dreams. Focus on the good to be found in others.

You'll find more people you like and admire if look for the positive.

You can add to your social life at any age. Remember that adding new friends to your social circle is an active process.

It's necessary to put in the time and work to make it happen.

Life is too short to wait for others to come to you. Go out today and make a new friend!

8 Strategies to Help You Make New Friends

Even though you enjoy the friends you have, you may occasionally think about making some new ones.

You probably already know that finding close, loyal confidantes can be difficult.

But your life could change in many marvelous ways if you make some fascinating new friends.

Actively engage in these strategies to seek new friends:

1. Join a volunteer organization.

One of the best ways to widen your pool of friends is to join a local club.

Consider clubs like Kiwanis, Lions Club, the Masons, the Elks, or the Moose.

* Those who join volunteer organizations care about others and want to make a difference in the world.

* You can even bring more meaning to your life and become a better friend yourself.

2. Take up a new sport.

Engaging in an unfamiliar physical activity that peaks your interest can lead you to others who like the same activity and can teach you about it.

3. Be open to meeting new people.

On Friday nights when you're out at a local restaurant, lounge, or club begin to notice others who approach your group to chat.

* Perhaps you've been around the relatives of your friends and thought they were interesting, but you haven't attempted to get to know them. Maybe one of them would be a great new friend to have.

4. Meet other parents.

Who knows, your next best friend may literally live around the corner from you.

Maybe it's that parent who picks up the kids at the mall after you've dropped them off.

* As a parent, making friends with other parents can provide you with helpful support as well as plenty of good times with someone with whom you have a lot in common.

5. Attend church or partake in another weekly ritual.

If you go to church, you already have at least some connection to others who worship there. Plus, you share the same religious beliefs.

Make an effort to get better acquainted with some of the adults at church.

* If church isn't your thing, look for another Sunday activity where you can mingle with others.

For example, have lunch at the same restaurant, hang out at the beach, or work out at a local health club.

6. Go to neighborhood parties.

One of the best ways to connect with tons of people is by attending block parties.

You'll tend to be in a festive mood and open to chatting.

7. Volunteer at a charity or community event.

Nothing will help you get to know people as quickly as working together in a booth at a community fair or gathering.

You'll likely meet many others who are helping with the event as well.

8. Take walks or go bike riding in your neighborhood.

On your block, you may find your next best friend. When you're active and engaged in fitness-related activities, you'll likely encounter other individuals who are doing the same.

Talk to others when you pass them, even if you've seen them a hundred times before.

* You can decide that today's the day to make a new friend.

Plenty of activities exist that can assist you with making some new friends. Having an open mind and heart also goes a long way.

Stay on the lookout for those who seem interesting to you. Finding more friends will surely enrich your life.

Did you find this post fun, informative and useful? If so, please share it with others!

If you have a comment, question or suggestion, please leave a comment below!

Cheers, Helene Malmsio


Related Reading: How To Build Friendships That Last

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