Making friends? Find out more now!
Our whole experience as human beings is wonderful, and a big factor that makes this so enjoyable is friendship. We all want to make friends, and it can be a pretty important thing for many of us. But after a certain age, making friends might not seem that easy anymore.
Social support is known to ease anxiety, increase your self-esteem, and, in the end, improve your overall health. This is why making friends is important, no matter the age. Unfortunately, the statistics are not the brightest. Studies show that more than 30% of adults over 45 feel lonely, and even worse, 25% of those who are older than 65 are socially isolated.
The truth is that making quality friends is hard at any age, but those who are older indeed have a harder time doing this. Hopefully, there are many great ways to make this process easier, and we are here to tell you everything about it. Read on and find out how making friends can be easier than ever!
1. Be openminded
This is a big one, but it is essential when you try making friends. Every time you approach a new person, be sure to keep an open mind and don’t just judge them by their face. No one likes that, and it has no benefits when you want to start a new friendship.
If you are generally suspicious and tend to judge people too harshly and too soon, you can instead give them a little bit of time. Be open, flexible, and forgiving. Many times, we tend to only look at the bad aspects and focus too much on minor flaws.
Try to focus on the good aspects and let this relationship grow. Be more flexible and give time to people to show them who they really are. Also, we know that meeting someone who is similar to you is a blessing, and things might feel right when you are with them. Don’t ignore those who are different from you. Keep in mind that richness can come from differences.
2. Time and space
When you are making friends, you need to put in some effort, but this is just the first step. After you are already friends with that person, you will need to invest time in the relationship, and this takes time and resources.
When time and resources are lacking, making friends is not that easy. This means you have to be prepared when you want to help a new friendship flourish. For example, when you have a busy schedule and you have no free time at the end of the day, when is the time to make friends?
This is why you should first make it clear to yourself what your priorities are. If you are on your way to making friends, free up your schedule and make some time, at least on the weekends, that you can spend with your new buddies.
3. Don’t ignore your hobbies
Is there something that makes you happy, no matter what? We are talking about an interest or maybe a skill you’ve always had. Or maybe you used to do an activity that brought you joy. Don’t ignite things like this because they can be a good way to meet new people.
When making friends, the things you have in common are often the things that bring you together. Many times, when we get busy and our lives are all about work, we neglect our hobbies, but once we retire, we can pick them up from where we left them and give them another chance.
If you have a hobby, be aware that this is one of the easiest ways to make new friends. Try to find out if there are any communities or classes where you can do the activities that you love while making new friends. Always make time for your hobbies, as they are one of the things that will bring you joy.
4. Always reciprocate
When making friends, you need to have this on your mind at all times. Friendship is a two-way street. This means you bring something to the table, and the other person does the same. If there is no reciprocity, the friendship will not work.
When you want to find out if someone wants to be friends with you or not, one good indicator is reciprocity. Just think about it. You invite someone somewhere; do they want to go out and accept the invitation? Another scenario might be that you ask them a question; do they respond to you, and even more importantly, are they continuing the conversation?
If you notice that the relationship is more one-sided and you are the only one who puts in effort, this means that maybe this person is not the right person for you. And this is okay. There are so many other people out there in this world for you to meet.
Also, since this is a relationship where reciprocity needs to exist, you can’t be the one who takes it all. You need to give back. Don’t use new potential friendships as a way to take advantage of someone.
5. Make the first move
This can sound scary, but making the first move can give you a real advantage when you are making friends. When you want to meet new people and have a connection with them in the same way as with dating, you need to put yourself out there.
At first, it might feel unnatural and awkward to start a conversation with someone new or invite them out, but in time, if there is any chemistry there, you have the chance to make a new friend.
The main obstacle is the fear of rejection, but you can’t let this hold you back. If you are interested in someone, show them your intentions and make the first move.
In this case, you should be prepared to get a no. They can decline your invitation, and this is okay. There is no need to force things. Just have the courage to take the risk, and you will see from there where things are going.
6. Try with the people you already know
When you are trying to meet strangers and befriend them, things might seem a little bit strange. It can be uncomfortable, and some people might find it totally overwhelming.
But there is a thing you can do that might help you on your journey toward making friends. Try to look at the people you already know, for example, your acquaintances. You’ve seen them before; you know about each other, and maybe there is a chance to start a friendship from there.
The people at work, those from church, and your neighbors are all in your proximity, and you can see if you can start a friendship with any of them. It is not too late to reach out to them, and it might be a fun thing to do. Start slow and see if you can make the already-existing relationship stronger.
If you want to learn more about how to make friends and build friendships that last this read can be helpful: How to Make Friends That Last: A Comprehensive Guide to Meeting New People and Making Friends
You should also read: Forever Fit: Active Living in Your 50s, 60s, and Beyond
