It’s difficult to make friends as an adult compared to making friends in teenage years. In childhood, we treat everyone as a friend, our classmates, our neighbours, kids we meet in the park, etc. However, it is difficult to make new friends as adults.
Also read: How To Make Online Friends?
Why Is It More Difficult To Make Friends As Adults
There can be different reasons why it seems difficult to make new friends and some of them are:
- Lack Of Time
Friendships require a strong bond which takes time to develop. However, adults often have a busy lifestyle and, hence don’t have time to put in efforts and meet people regularly.
- Lack of Trust
Researchers state that often adults find it hard to trust someone they just met. Most people are comfortable with their previous friendships because they have known them for years. - Putting In Efforts
Adult friendships are hard to form because new friendships require putting in efforts which often people are not ready for.
Importance Of Having Friends
Meeting people is quite important for making friends. When you meet new people, you become familiar with them and in due course of time, it turns into friendship. Friendship is important as it prevents you from feeling lonely.
Friends help to boost your confidence, and they are there for you in difficult times. Moreover, it is important to have meaningful friendships as they help provide emotional support and a sense of belongingness.
Benefits Of Making Friends
- Improves Social Skills
When you regularly spend time with people and interact with them, it enhances your social skills. Moreover, it helps you to have better communication and empathy.
- Reduces Feeling Of Isolation
Feeling lonely and isolated can cause several mental health problems. However, when you are surrounded by good people you have emotional support and a sense of belongingness.
- Provides Opportunities To Network
When you have a good relationship with others, they are likely to introduce you to more people which allows you to grow not only personally but professionally.
- Opportunity To Learn New Things
When you network with people from different cultures and backgrounds, you get to learn a lot of new things. Moreover, it amplifies your knowledge about various perspectives and helps you form opinions.
- Helps To relieve stress
Spending time with close friends is a great way to relieve stress. When you meet friends and spend time together, you have a good time and overall you feel happier when you are around them.
Learn ways to relieve stress
Ways To Make New Friends
Here are a few things you should consider doing:
1.) Reconnect With Your Old Friends
If you have any school or college friends in the same city, catch up with them. Plan to reunite with them, go out to a nice cafe and reminisce about the old times.
This is a great idea for people who have difficulty trusting new people. Moreover, old friendships have a sense of comfort and familiarity which makes it easier to reconnect.
2.) Expand Your Social Circle
Take an interest in getting to know mutual friends and acquaintances. It gives you a chance to connect with new people and get to know them. If you have the opportunity to talk to new people, you must take it. Example- meeting new people at your best friend’s birthday etc.
3.) Engage In Activities
Join a class you enjoy, it could be dance, pottery, cooking etc. In such places, you have opportunities to meet new people with similar interests and passions. Ensure to have an open mind while you approach people.
4.) Use Apps
If you have tried the conventional ways and it’s not working out for you, you can opt to find friends online. There are several apps to make friends such as:
- Bumble BFF
- Meetup
- Hey Vina
- Patook
- Next Door
These apps will help you find friends online. Moreover, you can match with people who have similar interests as you. When you find friends online, you have an opportunity to meet new people and have new friendships you can look forward to.
Conclusion
Making friends as an adult is harder compared to as a kid. Some adults find it difficult to make time out of their busy schedule while others don’t wish to put in their trust and go through all that effort.
Nevertheless, it is essential to socialise with people as it has various benefits such as having emotional support, the feeling of belongingness etc.