I’m an introvert by nature. I tend to spend most of my time alone. Most of my close friends are from college.
Even though I’ve been a freelance writer for 5 years now, I still struggle to make new friends. I don’t really know why. I think that being a freelancer gives me a lot of freedom. It’s hard to be busy all the time. I don’t really have time to meet new people.
So how do I find new friends?
Here are 5 tips that I use to make new friends:
1. Meet people where they are
Meeting people in real life is probably the most common way to make new friends. But if you can’t do that, meet people online. Meetup groups are a great place to start. If you’re a creative person, you might want to join local art groups.
2. Be open
Be open to meeting people who don’t share the same hobbies as you. If you love to watch movies, try joining a book club. If you love to read, join a book club. If you love to play sports, join a soccer league.
3. Don’t be afraid to show off
When I was younger, I used to feel shy about talking about my passions in front of new people. As I grew older, I realized that it doesn’t matter if people know about your interests. In fact, the more you talk about them, the more people will want to learn about them.
4. Talk about yourself
When you meet new people, talk about yourself. Don’t talk about your work. Talk about your interests. It’s easy to get lost in the details of your career when you first meet people. Instead, focus on your interests.
5. Be yourself
I realize that this tip sounds obvious. But it’s important to keep in mind. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert. Be yourself and people will appreciate it.
I hope these tips will help you find new friends.