As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that the more people I know, the harder it is to make new friends. I’m constantly being approached by people I don’t know and then forced to have awkward conversations where we learn nothing about each other.
I’m not alone. Most people struggle with this issue, and there are two main reasons why.
1. It’s hard to meet new people
Most of us spend most of our time with people we already know. We go to school, work, socialize, and hang out with our friends. The result is that we rarely have the opportunity to meet new people.
2. People aren’t comfortable making friends
When we do meet new people, we often feel uncomfortable. We’re afraid to be rejected, so we tend to keep our distance. And that distance usually ends up making it even more difficult to make friends.
So how can we break through this barrier?
There are three things you can do to get people to approach you and start talking.
1. Start making plans
The first step to getting out of your comfort zone is to decide to make a change. For example, if you’re struggling to make new friends, then you might want to think about joining a new group. Maybe you could try starting a book club or a church group. Or maybe you could start volunteering at a local school.
Whatever you do, make sure that you’re making a plan. When we put off making plans, we end up feeling as though we have no control over our life. But when we make a plan, we take back control of our life.
2. Look for opportunities
Next, look for opportunities to make new friends. For example, if you’re looking for a new book club, then you might want to consider looking online. There are lots of websites where you can join groups that share similar interests.
Or if you’re looking for a church group, then you can always check the bulletin board at your local church.
Finally, if you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity, then you should check with your local community center or church.
3. Make friends at parties
The last thing you can do is make friends at parties. For example, if you attend a party where you’re the only person of color, then it’s important to make friends with the people at the party. This will help you build your network.
And if you’re the only person in your school, then you should make friends with the other students.
I hope this article has been helpful.