According to a recent study, 71% of people find it hard to make friends as an adult, which can often result in social isolation as we get older. This is particularly true among moms, who struggle to make time for themselves when caring for their children full-time.
Despite this, friendships are important in more ways than one. They provide us with opportunities to socialize, share our thoughts and worries, and can even help us to find balance and inner peace. As such, they are not something that we can feasibly “go without” for long periods of time.
With that in mind, here are some creative ways to make (and retain) friendships in 2024!
Put yourself out there.
One of the easiest ways to make new friends is to be willing to put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to initiate a conversation with someone you think you’d get along well with, whether you’ve met them through work or at your local coffee shop. While this can be daunting, breaking the ice is the first step toward forging a meaningful friendship.
Stay in touch as much as you’re able.
While you do not have to give your friends 24/7 access to your life and should not be expected to reply to messages every few minutes, it is important that you stay as connected as possible. For example, if you’ve not spoken to a friend in a while, try to give them a call so that you can catch up. Alternatively, send them a quick message to see how they are doing or to let them know that you are thinking of them. After all, the key to maintaining and strengthening friendships often lies in making time for each other, even when you are busy.
Catch up virtually.
If you do not have enough time in your routine to catch up in person, or if your friends live far away, do not underestimate the value of a virtual catch-up. For example, thanks to apps such as Teleparty, watching netflix with friends has never been easier. This means that you can easily host virtual viewing parties whenever a new film or the latest season of your favorite TV show is released.
Pick up new hobbies.
Spending quality time with your friends is another great way to strengthen your friendship, as it can often bring you closer. For this reason, try to pick up new hobbies that you are both interested in, as this encourages you to meet up more often. For example, if you’re often giving each other book recommendations, you may want to join or start your own book club.
Not only are hobbies an excellent way to strengthen pre-existing friendships, but they also help you to connect with others who share similar interests and passions to your own. As such, this could be a fantastic way to make new, like-minded friends in a low-pressure environment.
Be a great listener.
If you are looking for a way to strengthen the bond you share with your friends, working on your listening skills is a great place to start. It’s sometimes easy to have a conversation with someone without really listening to what they are saying or giving them meaningful responses. For example, when asking someone, “How was your day?” we often expect them to offer up a generic response, such as “My day was fine,” before we move onto a different talking point entirely.
As such, now is a great time to start working on your listening skills, ensuring that you are both an active and empathic listener. Your friends will appreciate this switch in communication style, as they feel valued and heard during your interactions with each other. You may also find that you have more meaningful conversations as a result of this.
Don’t be afraid to cut ties.
Sometimes, we invest too much of our time and energy into friendships (and relationships more generally) that do not serve us. For example, you may try overly hard to impress a friend who often makes you feel bad about yourself. While these kinds of people-pleasing tendencies are common, the time you spend catering to this individual could be better spent with your other friends – the ones who lift you up as opposed to tearing you down.
While cutting the chord can be difficult, especially if you have been friends for many years, you’ll soon notice an incredible weight off your shoulders once you’ve taken action. Your time and energy are precious, and it is important that you remember this.
Disclosure: collaborative post
