It's true. New friends will not magically appear. They just won't.
I am so grateful for the friends that have followed me into adulthood. My best friend from high school, childhood friends that I've been able to reconnect with, and of course my sisters who have become more than sisters.
News friends in adulthood? You have to search for them. This doesn't mean putting an ad in the newspaper or on Facebook. Sometimes this looks like getting involved in new things. Do you like working out and staying fit? Join a gym or go to your local YMCA. You might meet people who share your passion for fitness. Do you enjoy volunteering and helping others? Get involved in your local Chamber. There will definitely be others like you serving their community! Have a love for God? No brainer. Get more involved in your church.
This can be intimidating. Making new friends as an adult is one of the hardest things a woman can do. Because we went through so much during our grade school years. I think every woman can relate to the pressures of friendships in school. Girls are mean! No wonder we're all a little scared to make new friends as adults.
We have to put in the effort. If we don't try new things or get out of our comfort zones, we won't meet new people.
I've made friends in adulthood a few different ways.
1. At my job.
A great group of girlfriends came from a job that I had. We have all since moved on from that job, but we'll get together every now and then, and our group text is full of inside jokes! Every time we see each other, we pick up right where we left off. We're supporting each other in our careers and our personal lives. These girls will forever have a place in my heart, and I will never stop rooting for them.
2. The new age way of making friends: social media.
I'm not joking! One of the most vulnerable things a person can do is share their life on social media. Because once they hit "publish" there's no turning back. It is out in the world to be both praised and criticized. I admire people who choose this. Have I made a ton of friends this way? No. But that's the beauty of this. You can "friend" or "follow" people that you have things in common with, and then life will naturally bring you together. More on this later...
3. Putting myself out there.
When we got married, I joined my husband's church. It didn't take long to notice other young families that went there. Over the years, many babies have been baptized in our church and every Sunday it seems wilder and louder. It's a beautiful noise! So, naturally I got curious about the people I sat by. And like any Millennial, I creeped them on Facebook. I sent out a few friend requests, and that gave me courage to actually talk to them on Sundays. (Funny how backwards that is, but whatever.) Now I meet up with a couple of girls from church once a month for supper! I look forward to all of the other friendships I'll make in the years to come.
If nothing I've said up to this point has registered with you, then I'll invite you to try EmpowHer.
At EmpowHer, the goal is to bring like-minded people together. I hope you come with an open mind and leave with a table of friends. We hope to see you on July 8th!
XO, Courtney
Comments