Friendships are crucial to everyone’s well being. Having a social support system, whether it’s in your church, your community, etc., can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and let you know you’re not alone.
But, it’s not always easy to put yourself out there and make new friends.
Whether you’re new to the area, or you’ve just always had trouble finding that solid support system in your life, don’t despair! There are simple and everyday ways you can build social support and start to make friends for lasting, healthy relationships.
1. Quiet Your Fears
Some people have a hard time meeting new friends or building their social circle because they’re scared. It can be a little overwhelming to put yourself out there and meet new people. But, putting those fears to rest is important.
Everyone has a little bit of anxiety when it comes to making new friends. When you start to realize that and know you’re all in the same situation, it can be easier to take the first step and make a connection. Once you do it one time, it’ll be easier to do the next time!
2. Strengthen Relationships With Acquaintances
You probably meet people almost every day. Whether it’s in passing, through a mutual friend, or someone new to your church you introduce yourself to, it’s likely you have more acquaintances in your life than you realize.
So, why not reach out to some of them?
If you’ve met people you think you could have a stronger connection with, don’t be afraid to take the first step in reaching out. This is a great way to amplify and deepen the connection you already have, and it’s a bit less overwhelming than starting from scratch to develop a friendship with someone new.
3. Get to Know Your Friends’ Friends
Whether you have one close friend or a small social circle, try spending time with your friends’ friends. Chances are you’ll have quite a bit in common, so you won’t have to worry about any awkward icebreakers.
Plus, you’ll have your current friend there with you for added comfort, so you’re less likely to be nervous.
4. Accept Invitations
How many times have you been invited to something and you’ve turned it down? Maybe it was a company outing or a church potluck. Maybe one of your friends invited you to their book club, or dinner with a small group.
Every time you turn down an offer, you’re also turning down the opportunity to meet new people. Even if it’s hard for you to overcome that bit of “social anxiety,” try to respond to more of those invitations positively, and you’ll end up making new friends quickly.
5. Be Yourself
Some people feel as though they have to be reserved or be a different version of themselves when meeting new people. In reality, you should always strive to be yourself – especially around someone new! It’s the only way you’ll know if you can develop a real, honest, genuine connection with that person.
When you let your real self shine through, you can develop stronger relationships without having to pretend you’re something you’re not.
6. Join Groups
What are your interests and hobbies? How much better would they be if you could share them with someone?
One great way to build social support is to connect with people who share the same interests, beliefs, or values. Doing that is easier than you might think. One qjuick search online can connect you with different groups, clubs, organizations, and more. Join a small group at church, or a volunteer organization you’re passionate about. Take a cooking class, paint pottery, or join a hiking club You can meet like-minded people right away, and feel more comfortable opening yourself up.
7. Stay in Touch
It’s not enough to just meet people and get together once a month for coffee. True friendships and social support system require communication.
That might mean you have to be the one to reach out more often than not. So, don’t hesitate to do that. Call your friends often. Or, send them a quick text message to check-in. Staying in touch with people is easier than ever in today’s social media-driven world. But, not everyone takes advantage of it. The more you stay in touch, the stronger your connection will be when you’re able to get together.
Having social support and strong friendships in your life is so important. While it can be a bit scary to get out there and make new friends, if you put some of these everyday tips to use, you can develop connections that will last a lifetime.
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