Tips For Making Friends As An Adult

1. Attend social events in your community.

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Between bar crawls, wine festivals, open mic nights, and food tours, there are likely social events in your city that can help you connect with other adults around your age. Don’t be afraid to attend these events solo. You’ll probably meet more people that way!

2. Join a club based on your interests.

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If you enjoy riding your bike, join a cycling club. If you enjoy sports, join an adult kickball league. There are several organizations out there for adults to join, but you might have to do some digging to find them. Facebook and Meetup are great websites that can help!

3. Volunteer for a local nonprofit organization.

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Do you enjoy giving back? This is a great way to meet like minded people. Think about some causes you care about, and research local nonprofits in your area where you can volunteer. Some great examples are food kitchens, animal rescue shelters, and your local hospital.

4. Take a class in a subject you enjoy.

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Maybe your school days are behind you, but that doesn’t mean you’re too old to take a class. If there’s a subject you enjoy, look at your local community college’s catalog. Enrolling in a class could open the door to future friendships! You’ll also learn a thing or two in the process.

5. Attend networking events related to your career.

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Whether you work remotely or from an office, networking events are a great way to meet fellow professionals who work in your industry. Not only can you introduce yourself to people who work in your field, but you can also meet people who are passionate about similar things!

6. Join a gym.

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Many gyms offer workout classes, such as HIIT, yoga, and pilates. Signing up is a great way to meet new people. It’s an added perk that your gym friends can double as exercise buddies! You can simultaneously work towards better health while strengthening your friendships.

7. Attend a book club meeting.

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Do you enjoy reading? If so, join a book club! If you’re not sure how to find one, consult your local library and see if they have any suggestions. You might even want to look into genre-specific book clubs that gravitate towards books you enjoy, like true crime, romance, or historical fiction.

8. Learn how to speak a different language.

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Learning how to speak a foreign language is a great way to connect with new friends who are trying to do the same thing. There’s nothing like learning a new skill to bond you with others! The best part is, you can practice your new language with them, too!

9. Attend a cooking class.

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Cooking classes are a great way to learn a new skill and meet new people at the same time. Seek out a class that offers a cuisine that intrigues you. Maybe you want to make pasta from scratch or indulge in some refreshing Vietnamese spring rolls. The world is your oyster!

10. Join an outdoor activity group.

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If you like hiking, kayaking, fishing, or anything that has to do with the great outdoors, an outdoor activity group might be the perfect option for you. You can simultaneously meet people with similar interests and enjoy all that nature has to offer. Is there a better combination than that?!

11. Attend a music festival.

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Nothing brings people together like music. Music festivals, in particular, offer a distinct sense of community and togetherness that can naturally lead to new friendships. Put on your favorite funky outfit and get ready to groove with a new group of friends!

12. Join a yoga studio.

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If you enjoy gentle movement and are looking for mindful friends, your local yoga studio is a great place to start. Sign up for classes that interest you, and see if you can connect with any regular attendees. If you both love yoga, you probably have other things in common, too!

13. Attend a church.

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Many people appreciate the sense of community that faith and religion brings them. If you’re a spiritual or religious person, this is a great way to meet new friends. Explore a few different local churches, and see if you feel called to start attending a specific one.

14. Introduce yourself to your neighbors.

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If you’ve never spoken to your neighbors, knock on their door and drop off some chocolate chip cookies or another baked good. This is a great way to introduce yourself and gain a new friend, because who doesn’t appreciate dessert?! It can also be handy having friends who live next door.

15. Attend a comedy show or improv class.

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Improv is a great icebreaker if you’re trying to make new friends. You’re pretty much guaranteed to look silly while you learn the ropes, but the team effort will bond you in unimaginable ways! If you’re into comedy and live theater, this is a fun way to meet new people.

16. Get off your phone.

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It’s tempting to hide behind your phone when you’re out and about by yourself. However, putting your phone down and paying attention can drastically improve your odds of meeting and conversing with someone new. You’re look more approachable if you’re alert and present.

17. Attend a poetry reading.

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You don’t necessarily have to read a poem to enjoy an open mic reading. If you’re shy about your own work, you can simply attend the reading to appreciate the creative energy flowing around he venue and connect with others who love and value poetry.

18. Join a board game group.

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Calling all board game fanatics! Board game groups and clubs can be a super fun way to meet people who also love to play in their spare time. Local coffee shops and game stores often host board game events, so that’s a great place to start. Grab your favorite game, and join the fun!

19. Attend a wine or beer tasting event.

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Wine connoisseurs and beer aficionados will love this one. Seek out a tasting at a local bar or restaurant and hang out with new a new group of friends while you sip on tasty beverages. You might find a new friend and a new favorite drink in the same night!

20. Join a dance class.

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Don’t worry if you have two left feet and lack natural rhythm. That’s exactly why dance classes exist! Just showing up will give you the opportunity to mingle with other dance lovers, both beginner and advanced. You’ll have new friends and new dancing skills in no time!

21. Use the Bumble BFF app.

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Have you ever used Bumble BFF? It’s basically like online dating, but for friends! Using the app is a quick and easy way to connect with others who are seeking out new friendships. It’s convenient, straightforward, and doesn’t require any guesswork. Give it a shot!

22. Join a running club.

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If you’re a runner, there are several ways to make like minded friends. Attend local races and talk to fellow runners, join a running club, volunteer at races, use the Strava app, and scout out runners at the gym! You’re sure to connect with a few new people this way.

23. Attend trivia night at a local bar.

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Trivia is a great way to meet new people because it tends to attract fun groups of friends who enjoy going out and doing social activities. Check out your local bar scene and figure out who does trivia and when. Drop in and join a group, if you’re feeling up for it!

24. Join an art class.

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There are a lot of different art classes and events that you can try in your local community. Paint nights, pottery classes, and glass blowing demonstrations are just a few examples. It doesn’t matter if you’re artistic or not. The classes are just for fun! You might even meet a new friend or two.

25. Try random acts of kindness.

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If you see somebody who needs a helping hand, consider offering your assistance and brightening their day. Thoughtful gestures can go a long way towards building trust and a strong foundation for a friendship. And what a special story to share about how you met!

26. Befriend people at work.

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As an adult, work is a great place to make friends. It’s much easier to do if you work from an office since you’re connected by your workplace during the week. Use happy hour events with coworkers as an opportunity to get know them better. Over time, friendships will bloom!

27. Introduce yourself to people who interest you.

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It can feel awkward to introduce yourself to strangers, but doing so is a direct and straightforward way to make friends. You can even explain that you’re new to the area or seeking new friends that enjoy your favorite hobbies. Many people are actually receptive to this approach!

28. Connect with friends of friends.

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If you already have a few local friends, ask them to connect you with their friends so you can widen your social circle. Since they already know your personality and interests, they’ll be able to choose friends that they believe would be a good fit for you.

29. Take yourself on solo dates.

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When you’re out and about by yourself, it’s more likely that people will approach you, chat with you, and connect with you. That’s one great consequence of doing things alone. Take yourself out to lunch, sit outside, put your phone down, and be present. Your new friend might be right around the corner.

30. If you’re a parent, chat up other parents.

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Parenthood is something that bonds people together. It’s fairly easy to meet fellow parents at the park, during classes or activities, or while volunteering at your child’s school. Step outside of your comfort, and introduce yourself to another parent. Maybe your kids will become friends, too!

31. Be more approachable

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If you want to open yourself up to making more friends, you might want to alter your body language a little when you're out and about. Look up instead of down at your phone, smile at people, be approachable and don't close yourself off physically so that it tells people 'leave me alone'.

32. Get back in touch with old friends

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As an adult, it's highly likely you've lost touch with some old friends along the way - people grow up and move along separate paths. But that doesn't mean you have to never speak to them again. If you've thought about someone you used to know, you might want to reach out - you never know, you might end up rekindling the friendship.

33. Find local groups on social media

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Social media is great for being social, of course, but it doesn't just have to be people over a long distance hidden behind a screen. You can use social media to find local groups in your community or based on your location so that you physically attend things and meet new people.

34. Don't get hung up on any society stigmas

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It can be very hard as an adult trying to make changes sometimes because of what society tells you is right or wrong. It may make you feel like you can't make friends after a certain age, or that you shouldn't do certain things, like eat alone or talk to strangers. Drop any worry about stigmas and do what you feel comfortable with!

35. Join the PTA

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The PTA can be a great wayt to meet other parents, other people in your community and bond over shared concerns or interests. It's also something that's going to be happening regularly in terms of PTA meetings, and if you're there anyway, you might as well get to know the people around you!

36. Try your local community garden

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If you're green-fingered and you're getting as little tired of tending your own garden all alone, why not try out community gardens? Not only will you meet new people doing this, but you'll meet people with the same interests in terms of gardening and the outdoors.

37. Befriend people you see all the time for professional services

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Obviously this depends if they're looking to make friends, because you don't want to cross any boundaries and have to find a new hairdresser or favorite place to eat! But if you go certain places all the time - like the salon, nail appointments or the hairdressers - then you might be able to strike up a friendship with the person who does it for you!

38. Talk to strangers

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Open yourself up to chatting to more people when you're traveling around - you never know, you might end up meeting your new best friend! During a long flight, a long time in a waiting room or at the spa waiting room, strike up a conversation if the moment presents itself!

39. Get involved in protests

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If there's a cause that you really care about, or you're a fan of political activism, then you might want to show your face at any public events or protests. This will let you mingle with new people, as well as being able to share the space with people who have the same viewpoint as you.

40. Try for your local city council meetings

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In the same vein, city council meetings are going to bring together people in the same community to discuss issues which are important to them. This is a chance for you to bond with others who share your community concerns, or just mingle with those who live locally to you.

41. Say 'yes' to more things

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It can help to step out of your comfort zone and start saying yes to more things as a general rule - if you attend things you wouldn't usually attend, then you're more likely to meet new people... and make new friends! Be a 'yes' person for a while and try it out.

42. If you have a partner, get to know their co-workers

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If you're usually avoiding those workplace dinners or parties of your partner's because they're happy to go alone, you might want to try switching it up. You never know - your partner's coworkers might be your new best friends! This only works if your partner actually likes their job and has said their co-workers are nice, of course!

43. Get a pet

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The most sociable pet you can get is a dog because it will see you out on walks every day, meeting other dog walkers, saying hello and getting into conversations at the dog parks. But this social aspect can work for other pets, too, especially during routine vet visits or local communities based on pets!

44. Join your local sports team

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If you love sports, want to be more active and also want to get to know people in your local community, this can be the best option for you. Join up with any local sports teams for a sport you love and get to know the other players on the team. This will also ensure regular meet ups, too.

45. Don't be afraid to sit at the bar solo

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Actually sitting at the bar instead of at a table alone can make it more likely to strike up a conversation - most of all with the bartender if it's quiet. You'll more likely find other solo attendees sat at the bar alone, too, so it can be a good sociable place to have a conversation and meet new people.

46. Continue your education

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Maybe you're looking to extend your skills or switch careers, and you're thinking about new qualifications. If you choose to continue your education, you can attend night classes, local schools or programs or even chat with people online with distance learning.

47. Try out solo traveling

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Solo traveling is one of the best things you can do if you want to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people at the same time. Especially if you meet other solo travelers along the way, you're more likely to strike up friendships with people from all around the world.

48. Ask to tag along with people

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Obviously this depends on the circumstance and the person because you don't want to be inviting yourself along to something you might not be welcome at. But if these are people you know well, like co-workers you like talking about going out for lunch, just ask if you're okay to tag along!

49. Compliment people

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Complimenting people can be a great way to start a conversation or to make yourself open to new people. Telling someone they look nice if you notice them in a clothing store uncertainly looking in the mirror, for example, might give them the boost they need that day!

50. Start a side hustle

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If you've been thinking about ways to fill your time and earn a bit more cash anyway, then a side hustle can also be a great opportunity to connect with new people. Whether it's suppliers, customers, fellow side-hustlers or networking events, there are always opportunities to reach out.