How to Make Friends in Your 20s: 10 Tips for Building Genuine Connections
I wish it weren’t the case, but building solid new friendships in your 20s can be darn hard. Everyone is so busy trying to find their foot in the workplace, build a career, or figure out what they want to do with their lives that it can be tough to make the time for new relationships.
Even when you do find someone you click with, it can be hard to get the relationship off the ground and running. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can make the process easier and speed things up. So whether you’ve moved to a new city or state or just want to meet some cool new people, here are five tips to help you make friends in your 20s.
Why are Friendships Important in Adulthood?
Having life-long strong friendships with people hugely benefits your happiness and well-being. Life is not easy, and trying to navigate the world in your 20s is daunting, so having your pals with you every step of the way makes you feel supported, less alone, and understood.
Science shows our brains are literally hard-wired for human connection, which makes sense! Having a strong network of pals can make achieving your goals easier, offer you advice and support if things get tough, and help you celebrate successes.
I think we can all agree that we love having friends, so let’s try and understand why it’s so hard to make new friendships in our 20s.
Why Is It Hard To Make New Friends as an Adult?
The obvious reason for this is lack of time. Entering adulthood means a whole lot more responsibility; we are focusing on our careers, starting new jobs, studying, travelling etc, which can significantly cut down the amount of time we have to meet new people, let alone become close friends.
In conjunction with this, psychologist and university of Maryland professor Maris G. Franco says friendships no longer happen organically as we get older.
She explains that the ingredients for organic friendship are continuous unplanned interaction and shared vulnerability, and as an adult, we find ourselves less and less in those positions. So what can we do to change this?
10 Tips On Making friends in your 20s
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 1
Be intentional
As we said earlier, friendships in adulthood don’t happen organically, so we need to put ourselves out there and be intentional about it. Make a conscious effort to reach out to people and make plans to meet up, Don’t be afraid to reach out first – even if you don’t know someone well; you never know what could come of it.
One of the best things you can do to make new friends in your 20s is to be intentional about it. Make a conscious effort to reach out to people and make plans to meet up, don’t be afraid to reach out first – even if you don’t know someone well; you never know what could come of it. Strike up a conversation with that girl at the gym, or invite some friends over for drinks and ask them to bring a friend each.
Put yourself in situations where a potential friendship could blossom. It’s also important to remember that friendships come in all shapes and sizes – some will last forever, while others may only last for a short period of time before going their separate ways again.
That’s okay, though; it’s part of life. Just enjoy each moment while it lasts, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself or anyone else involved in making these connections happen.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 2
Find Common Interests
Finding common interests is a great way to start conversations and build relationships with people in your 20s. Whether you’re looking for friends or potential romantic partners, having something in common can be the foundation of a strong connection.
There are plenty of activities, hobbies, and events that you can attend with other people who share similar interests. Joining a book club is one example; if you love reading, this could be an excellent opportunity to meet new people while discussing literature together.
Or perhaps you’d like to learn how to cook? You could join a cooking class and get tips from experienced chefs while making new friends at the same time.
Taking the time to find your common interests and build relationships on that basis can be an incredibly rewarding experience, so don’t hesitate to give it a try.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 3
Develop Your People Skills
People skills are an invaluable asset in all aspects of our lives, especially when it comes to making friends.
Learning how to communicate effectively with others, develop empathy and understanding, and be a good listener can help you build deeper connections with people. There are plenty of ways to sharpen up your people skills, such as taking an online course, reading books on the subject, or attending personality development workshops.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 4
Learn To Be Comfortable In Your Own Company
This tip might sound contradictory, but it’s being okay to spend time in your own company is really important for healthy friendships.
Enjoying your time by yourself is an important part of building good and lasting friendships. When you’re comfortable being alone, it makes it easier for you to be open and vulnerable with others.
If you can take pleasure in your own company, then it becomes easier to form meaningful connections with people who share similar interests and values as yourself. It also helps build self-confidence so that when the time does come for socializing, you don’t feel awkward or uncomfortable in a group setting.
Furthermore, enjoying your own company allows you to better appreciate spending time with friends without feeling like something is missing when they are not around. In essence, learning to be content on your own will make any friendship deeper and more rewarding overall.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 5
Activities to meet potential friends as an adult
Participating in activities as an adult is one of the best ways to make new friends. The benefits of this are 3-fold.
- Participating in any activity that allows you to see the same people each week or each month takes away the effort and pressure of continuously organising and scheduling catch-ups with different people; the date and time are always sorted and constantly allow connections to form organically over time.
- You get to meet new, likely-minded people all in the one place
- Making new friends through joining in an activity is the perfect opportunity to learn something new, which is great for self-development and character building. With all this is mind, here are some activity ideas you can consider.
Join a Gym
Joining a gym is one way to meet potential friends who share your interests in fitness and health. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to strike up conversations with other members while waiting for machines or during classes. Plus, having someone else around makes working out more fun.
Sign Up For A Workshop Or Class
Taking a class is another great way to find people with similar interests. Look into local workshops or classes at community centres, universities, libraries, etc., on topics such as cooking, painting, photography—whatever piques your interest. This will give you the chance to learn something new while meeting others who enjoy the same things as you do.
Volunteer
Volunteering is not only rewarding, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and build relationships with them over time. There are many organisations looking for volunteers, so take some time researching what kind of volunteer work suits your skillset best and get involved. Some examples include
Find A Church Or Other Spiritual Service
If religion plays an important role in your life, then consider joining a church or spiritual service group near you. Not only will this provide spiritual guidance, but it could also help introduce you to people who share similar beliefs and values, which can lead towards forming strong friendships down the line.
Join Your Local Sports Team
Whether it’s basketball, soccer or tennis – joining a sports team is always fun and gives you the chance to bond with teammates over shared goals on the court/field/etc Don’t forget about recreational leagues either; they offer great opportunities for socializing outside of practice sessions too.
Finally, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone when trying new things. This could mean taking part in events alone, such as going solo camping or attending parties hosted by acquaintances. These experiences can often open doors towards making meaningful connections later on down the road.
By being open-minded and patient, you can find activities that will help you meet potential friends as an adult. Now let’s look at five specific ways to do this.
Go To Concerts or Festivals
Going to a concert or festival is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Not only will you be surrounded by like-minded people who share your passion for music, but the atmosphere of such events also encourages socializing and conversation.
Plus, it’s much easier to start a conversation with someone in an environment where everyone is already having fun. Festivals, epically ones here in Australia, are always so fun, everyone is there to have a good time, and it’s a great place to make funny and adventurous memories with new and old friends.
It’s also worth noting that many festivals often have activities such as camping or other outdoor activities which can be great opportunities to get closer with those around you. With all these benefits combined, attending concerts or festivals could be just what you need to find some new friends.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 6
Utilise Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms are a great way to find common interests and connect with others. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other sites provide an opportunity for people of all ages to come together in conversation about topics they care about.
Facebook is a great platform for finding groups that focus on specific topics or interests. For example, if you’re interested in hiking or outdoor activities, there may be several groups dedicated to those subjects where you can join the discussion and meet like-minded individuals.
You could also join social groups on Facebook. One of my goals for this year was to make more friends, so a friend and I joined a local social group in our area, and it’s full of other people in our area looking the make new friends. So, if you have recently moved to a new city, have a look to see if there is a social Facebook group in your area; they usually organise meet-ups at local pubs, community events or the coffee shop.
Twitter is another excellent resource when it comes to connecting with others online. It allows users to follow accounts related to their hobbies and passions so they can stay up-to-date on news and trends within their community.
Additionally, Twitter provides an easy way for users to interact directly with one another by responding directly through tweets or direct messages (DMs). This makes it easier than ever before for people from different backgrounds and locations around the world to communicate without having met face-to-face yet.
Instagram is becoming increasingly popular among young adults looking for ways of connecting with each other over shared interests such as fashion, music, art etc.
Following accounts related to your passion will give you access not only to what’s trending but also allow you to get connected with influencers who might have similar views as yours, which could lead towards potential collaborations down the line.
Finally, don’t forget about LinkedIn – this social network was designed specifically for professionals looking to connect in their industry and network job opportunities. With its user-friendly interface, making new contacts has never been easier; just search relevant keywords associated with your field of interest and start building relationships today.
Social media platforms can be a great way to connect with others, and they are an accessible tool that can help you make friends in your 20s. Now let’s look at how attending events or classes could also be beneficial.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 7
Be Open-Minded & Patient
It’s important to remember that it takes time and effort to build meaningful relationships with people, so don’t expect instant results. Being open-minded and patient is key when making new connections in your 20s.
Don’t be afraid to reach out first – even if you feel like someone may not respond positively, take the chance anyway. You never know who might end up being a great friend until you try. Don’t give up if someone doesn’t respond right away either; keep trying until you find the right fit for yourself.
Be sure to stay positive when interacting with potential friends too. No one wants a negative person around them all of the time, so focus on finding common interests and having fun conversations instead of complaining about life or other people.
It’s also important to remember that friendships come in all shapes and sizes – some will last forever, while others may only last for a short period of time before going their separate ways again. That’s okay, though; it’s part of life.
Just enjoy each moment while it lasts, trust the process and don’t put too much pressure on yourself or anyone else involved in making these connections happen.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 8
Make an Effort To Stay in Touch With Old Friends From High School or College
Building relationships in your 20s is not just about meeting new people; it’s also about keeping the connections you already have. Staying in touch with friends you went to school with is a great way to maintain those relationships and ensure they remain strong.
Whether it’s a quick text, an email, or even a call every once in a while, making the effort to stay connected will go a long way. I love my school friends, and we always aim to catch up together every few months. I am so grateful we do as we share some special lifelong memories together.
Additionally, attending class reunions is a great way to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 9
Ask Family Members For Introductions to Their Friends’ Circles
Another great way to connect in your 20s is to ask family members for introductions to their friends’ circles. Your parents, siblings, aunts and uncles likely know plenty of other people your age who you could potentially hit it off with.
Make sure to keep an open mind when meeting new people this way as well; you never know who might end up being a great long-term friend! At the very least, you’ll get to make some new connections and have someone to talk to.
How To Make Friends In Your 20s Tip 10
Most Importantly – Be Yourself!
People appreciate authenticity and will gravitate towards those who are genuine about themselves and their intentions.
At the end of the day, making friends in your 20s is not about trying to be someone you’re not; it’s about being yourself and building meaningful relationships. People appreciate authenticity, so don’t be afraid to show your true self when meeting new people. Be confident, be kind, and let your unique personality shine through. With the right attitude and some patience, you’ll be sure to find the right friends to share your 20s with!
Conclusion
Making friends in your 20s can be a daunting task, but with the right attitude and some patience, you will find the people who are just perfect for you. Don’t forget to get out of your comfort zone, too; it’s essential for personal growth and development. You’ll never know what opportunities await if you don’t take those first steps towards change.
Remember that challenges lead to greater confidence overall, so embrace them as best as you can! With these tips, we hope that building meaningful relationships is made easier during this period of life. Good luck on your journey – don’t hesitate to reach out for help along the way!
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