{"id":7890,"date":"2022-03-08T07:45:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T12:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/?p=7890"},"modified":"2023-10-31T14:18:59","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T18:18:59","slug":"tips-for-making-friends-as-an-adult-during-lonely-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/tips-for-making-friends-as-an-adult-during-lonely-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Making Friends as an Adult during Lonely Times"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Loneliness is an issue everyone faces from time to time, but recently, our collective sense of isolation has made the problem worse. A Harvard study from February 2021<\/a> shows that the pandemic, in addition to its obvious effects on physical health, has created an epidemic of loneliness. According to survey data, 36% of American adults now struggle with \u201cserious loneliness.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another main takeaway from the study is the fact that 43% of young adults reported that no one in the past few weeks had \u201ctaken more than just a few minutes\u201d to ask how they are doing in a way that made them feel like the person \u201cgenuinely cared.\u201d One of the reasons behind this perceived lack of sincere human contact is the abundance of social media interaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditional social media, which is supposed to help people connect, can be a significant contributor to feelings of loneliness in our day and age. When it\u2019s overused, it becomes an unsatisfactory replacement for truly rewarding relationships. Here are a few tips to help you stop scrolling, get out in the real world, and overcome those feelings of loneliness by making authentic connections.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#1.  Reach out and reconnect with old friends  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It happens\u2014you and one or more of your friends haven\u2019t been keeping in touch very often. Maybe your friendship was in a good place, and then the pandemic slowed everything down. That sense of stasis can be hard to resolve, and the best method for rekindling that friendship is easy to overthink.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to reconnect with old friends, the best way to do it is by just reaching out. However, relying on the \u201cLet\u2019s grab a [insert beverage of choice] sometime\u201d text can signal that you\u2019re not very invested in actually seeing them. Instead, send a straightforward text where you propose concrete plans with a time and place.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. Get involved with a cause you care about  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to meet new people who you\u2019re likely to get along with is by pursuing a cause that speaks to your heart. You could join a group for feminist activism<\/a>, a community of vegans<\/a> promoting sustainable food practices and animal liberation, or a group of green thumbs<\/a> who donate their time and skill to beautify public parks. Helping make the world a better place with people in your area is a surefire way to feel good about yourself, have a great time, and form meaningful bonds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. Take up a new artistic hobby <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The great thing about connecting with people through a mutual interest in art is that the opportunities are pretty much endless. Whether it\u2019s drawing, painting, photography, writing, pottery, or something else that inspires you, getting creative is a wholesome way to get social.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. Join a professional organization <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On average, people spend a third of their lives at work, so it\u2019s not a bad idea to consider branching out your social circle among coworkers and other folks in your industry. If you\u2019re a career-oriented individual, you can combine your work goals with your free-time socialization by joining a professional development or networking group in tech<\/a>, entrepreneurship, teaching, filmmaking, or whatever field you\u2019re in.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#5. Get active and join an exercise group <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let the endorphins flow! Getting outside of your comfort zone by working up a sweat in a group setting is a wonderful way to make friends while taking care of your body. Plus, everybody\u2019s more relaxed and clear-minded after burning some calories and achieving that runner\u2019s high. You really can\u2019t go wrong here\u2014you can opt for settings as intense as marathon training and group sports like soccer or more tranquil exercises like hiking and yoga.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. Join a group for socializing       <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it\u2019s nice to just cut to the chase. You want to meet some new people, chat, get to know each other, and make friends. Check out happy hour groups<\/a> or the new sensation of speed-friending, which takes the structure of speed-dating and applies it to people seeking casual, platonic relationships with pals. You\u2019ll meet a ton of new and interesting single people in a short amount of time at these fun events!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. Be your own friend first  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Listening to your own wants and needs is key before putting yourself out there. In general, it\u2019s not a good idea to spend your time doing activities that don\u2019t interest you just because you want to make friends. Instead, find an activity you\u2019re passionate about and pursue it as often as you can\u2014you\u2019re bound to meet like-minded people along the way and friendship will follow! Make friends with Meetup<\/a>! Don\u2019t judge yourself too harshly if you haven\u2019t met your BFF yet. These things take time.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can\u2019t find people in your area engaging in your favorite pastime, you can easily create your own Meetup group<\/a> and invite others to join you! If you need a little inspiration for your group\u2019s theme, check out this list of book club alternatives<\/a>. (Dessert club? Yes, please.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find events, join groups, and communicate with your people\u2014from anywhere. <\/em>Download the Meetup app today<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The global pandemic ushered in an epidemic of loneliness. Here are some simple, straightforward ways to overcome it by sparking new friendships.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":7891,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTips for Making Friends as an Adult during Lonely Times - Meetup Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The global pandemic ushered in an epidemic of loneliness. 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