How to Make Friends as an Adult
Are good friends really so hard to find?
Here are 4 ways to make friends starting right where we are.
Do you ever wish making friends as an adult was as simple as walking up and asking someone “do you want to be my friend” like we used to on the playground?
In school, we could find friends in class with us. In college, they often lived in the same dorm. But once we’re thrown full-swing into the adult life … suddenly, most of us find ourselves asking “how do I make friends?” Why does it feel so much harder than it used to be?
We know we want deep connections and strong friendships. We want to feel known and we want to know others. God even said in His Word that it isn’t good for us to be doing life alone (Genesis 2:18). But we got used to staying at home… but we feel burnout … but we’re so stressed. Any of these can trap us into living a lonely life. We know that community is good for us, but it can be hard to find.
Whether you’re trying to make friends after graduating college, moving to a new city, recovering from a divorce, or starting a new job, here are 4 ways to make new friends.
1. Invite Someone from Work to Hang Out
If we want to get really honest, the people most likely to be our friends are those we’re in regular contact with. So, we can begin with our job. If we work at an in-person location, we have the opportunity to ask a peer if they want to grab lunch next week or go out for food after work. Something this simple can lead to stronger connections than we could ever have imagined.
Most people want friends as much as we do, but are actually just as nervous about reaching out. By being the one to have the courage to ask, the people already around us may be more open than we realized.
2. Join a Community-Centric Gym
This can be a two-for-one: make friends AND get healthier! Believe it or not, gyms are one of the easiest places to meet people, especially in gyms that offer group activities. Many people go to gym classes on a regular schedule, which makes it easier to have routine and repeated interactions with others that can slowly develop into friendships.
Looking for more specific options? There are many gyms that cater to certain hobbies, or that require partners, like rock climbing and pickleball. This can be a fun way to try out a new activity and offer more opportunities to meet people in your area. You could be surprised how many people enjoy doing the same things as you!
3. Try Meetup Groups
A quick and simple search on Facebook or Google can lead to discovering many fun and differing types of groups in our own areas. It can be fun when we remember there are other people with similar interests that are looking for the same things we are. One encounter at a local meetup event could be all it takes to develop the connection that leads to lasting friendship.
4. Join a Church Group
At Faith Church, our small groups, called Connect Groups, offer opportunities for meaningful friendships to develop with people living near us, who believe the same way we do, and are already a part of the church community. Each Group is different. All leaders use their personal gifts and passions to create fun environments that allow for people to connect with other believers in their daily walk with God. There are Groups that focus on Bible study, fitness, leadership, personal development, book studies, finances, DIY crafts, coffee talks, business, health, and many MORE! You can jump into one at any time.
Meaningful relationships are found in the simplest of interactions and those friendships are out there waiting for you!
How to Make Friends as an Adult
Are good friends really so hard to find?
Here are 4 ways to make friends starting right where we are.
Do you ever wish making friends as an adult was as simple as walking up and asking someone “do you want to be my friend” like we used to on the playground?
In school, we could find friends in class with us. In college, they often lived in the same dorm. But once we’re thrown full-swing into the adult life … suddenly, most of us find ourselves asking “how do I make friends?” Why does it feel so much harder than it used to be?
We know we want deep connections and strong friendships. We want to feel known and we want to know others. God even said in His Word that it isn’t good for us to be doing life alone. (Genesis 2:18). But we got used to staying at home… but we feel burnout … but we’re so stressed. Any of these can trap us into living a lonely life. We know that community is good for us, but it can be hard to find.
Whether you’re trying to make friends after graduating college, moving to a new city, recovering from a divorce, or starting a new job, here are 4 ways to make new friends.
1. Invite Someone from Work to Hang Out
If we want to get really honest, the people most likely to be our friends are those we’re in regular contact with. So, we can begin with our job. If we work at an in-person location, we have the opportunity to ask a peer if they want to grab lunch next week or go out for food after work. Something this simple can lead to stronger connections than we could ever have imagined.
Most people want friends as much as we do, but are actually just as nervous about reaching out. By being the one to have the courage to ask, the people already around us may be more open than we realized.
2. Join a Community-Centric Gym
This can be a two-for-one: make friends AND get healthier! Believe it or not, gyms are one of the easiest places to meet people, especially in gyms that offer group activities. Many people go to gym classes on a regular schedule, which makes it easier to have routine and repeated interactions with others that can slowly develop into friendships.
Looking for more specific options? There are many gyms that cater to certain hobbies, or that require partners, like rock climbing and pickleball. This can be a fun way to try out a new activity and offer more opportunities to meet people in your area. You could be surprised how many people enjoy doing the same things as you!
3. Try Meetup Groups
A quick and simple search on Facebook or Google can lead to discovering many fun and differing types of groups in our own areas. It can be fun when we remember there are other people with similar interests that are looking for the same things we are. One encounter at a local meetup event could be all it takes to develop the connection that leads to lasting friendship.
4. Join a Church Group
At Faith Church, our small groups, called Connect Groups, offer opportunities for meaningful friendships to develop with people living near us, who believe the same way we do, and are already a part of the church community. Each Group is different. All leaders use their personal gifts and passions to create fun environments that allow for people to connect with other believers in their daily walk with God. There are Groups that focus on Bible study, fitness, leadership, personal development, book studies, finances, DIY crafts, coffee talks, business, health, and many MORE! You can jump into one at any time.
Meaningful relationships are found in the simplest of interactions and those friendships are out there waiting for you!