We can all agree that making new friends as an adult can be challenging. As we get older, our social circles tend to shrink and we find ourselves in routines that only revolve around work and family. However, studies suggest that satisfying friendships not only make people happier, they are also associated with better health and even longer life. This is where our 30 ways to make new friends as an adult guide comes in handy.
Three Reasons Why Making New Adult Friends is Hard
There are several reasons why making new friendships is hard as a midlife adult.
It’s more like this: We have become more settled into our ways, with established social circles and routines we are comfortable with and perhaps a little closed off to new connections. We’re busy with work and family commitments. And finally, there is a stigma attached to trying to make new friends at midlife, which can make people feel embarrassed or awkward about reaching out to others.
Despite these reasons, it is never too late to make new connections and form meaningful friendships.
30 Ideas on How to Meet New People as an Adult
- Join a local sports league
- Pickle ball, tennis, basketball, bowling, walking/run club, frisbee, golf, or softball are just a few ideas. Google ‘adult sports leagues’ and your city to see what is available.
- Attend a Meetup event related to a hobby you enjoy
- Search Meetup.com for events in your area. Anything goes from dog meetups, widower groups, paranormal investigations, architectural walking tours. Whatever you’re into!
- Visit a local coffee show and strike up conversations with people
- Check out these tips on how to start conversations with random strangers and not look like a creeper doing so.
- Sign up for class or workshop related to something that interests you
- Step-by-step paint classes, cookie or cake decorating, wreath making. There are workshops and classes from Red Cross training to landscaping. Google ‘local workshops near me.’
- Join a book club
- Ask friends, neighbors, or other parents if they know of a book club inviting new members. Local libraries or independent book stores might also post invites.
- Check out local festivals and events
- A quick Google search of ‘local festivals near me’ turned up a dozen options. A lobster festival, a Greek festival, donut fest, Punk in the Park, Village Art Faire, and so many more. These sound so fun!
- Take a class at the local gym
- Do you have a gym membership or access to the local YMCA? Consider joining one of the exercise classes on the regular. Humans are creatures of habit, so you’ll start seeing familiar faces and strike up a convo.
- Attend lectures, seminars, or workshops at your local library
- If your local library offers lectures, seminars, or workshops that are of interests to you, sign up. It’s awesome to find other people who have the same passions or interests – it’s the easiest subject to talk about with another person.
- Get involved in a community organization
- Google ‘community organizations near me’ for ideas. There are tons of non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, National Charity League, Junior League, etc. Look for an organization that would be a fit for you.
- Attend a brewery tour or tasting
- Like beer or wine? Uber on over to your closest brewery or winery for a tour or tasting. This would be a great one to invite friends and have them each bring a new friend.
- Host a dinner party or game night with current friends and have them each bring a new friend
- This is another way to widen your friend circle. Card games, trivia games, and blind taste tests are all ways to get people to gather together.
Expanding Your Social Circle
- Join an online forum related to something you’re passionate about
- Local sports team, favorite musician, quilting, bird watching…whatever you think is fun, there is an online forum for it. And don’t be fooled, internet friends are real friends.
- Join a political group or campaign
- Big or small election, there are plenty of political groups or campaigns you can join to meet like-minded people.
- Get to know your neighbors
- Who cares that you’ve spent the last year closing the garage door and never saying hello. Start waving to your neighbors, say hello at the mailbox, invite them over for a BBQ, pitch the idea of a progressive dinner party.
- Join a professional organization related to your field of work
- This is a great opportunity for networking as well. Check LinkedIn or Meetup for relevant opportunities.
- Visit your local dog park to meet other pet owners
- My husband and I met some really great local people at our dog park over 20 years ago. We spent many nights laughing and chatting while the dogs played. You already have something in common – dogs.
- Attend music or art events in your area
- Summer is a great time to visit the music or art scene in your area, or neighboring areas.
- Try a co-working space for freelancers and entrepreneurs
- Get out of your home office once in a while and take up shop at a nearby co-working space. Chat with strangers at the water cooler or coffee bar.
- Take a weekend trip to a nearby town of city
- While there find a popular restaurant, bar, or coffee house on Yelp, hang out in the city’s downtown area, or check out their local events.
- Go to a trivia night at a bar or restaurant
- Show off your trivia skills and join a team that needs a ringer, or get a small group of friends together and have them bring other friends. Trivia nights are so popular right now, you’re bound to find something nearby.
- Try a cooking class
- Williams-Sonoma offers classes and events, local community services also offers cooking or baking classes. Give it a try!
- Sign up for an in-person language class
- Have you wanted to learn a new language? Delete the foreign language apps and get yourself into a classroom experience.
- Use social media to connect with people who share your same interests
- True story: Megan and I met on Twitter.
- Join a religious or spiritual group
- Find out if your local church offers Bible study or adult groups .
- Take a change on your co-workers outside of work
- Think Jane from Accounting has cool style? Get together for coffee outside of work and pick her brain about clothes and see where the friendship goes.
- Participate in a charity run or other fundraising event
- I recently volunteered for a charity race where I met a few other adults who consistently volunteer at these kinds of events. Commit to a few events and get to know the regulars.
- Become a regular at your favorite restaurant, bar, or coffee spot
- My in-laws are great at making new couple friends because they regular dine out at the same spot and always sit at the bar so they can chat up others.
- Attend a film festival or movie screening
- Love movies? Create a movie club and invite others who might also be interested. Discuss your favorite films or catch a new release.
- Join a travel group or take a group tour
- Find a cruise or travel Facebook group, meet people who are also scheduled on your next holiday trip.
- Join a beach, mountain, or park clean-up organization
- Passionate about keeping our beaches, mountains, and parks clean? Find a clean-up group to join and meet others with the same ideas as you.
Do you see a trend in the list above? Many of the ideas have something to do with what you’re passionate about or have an interest in. Narrow down what that is for you and you will find new people.
Related: How to Make Mom Friends
We’re Your New Best Friends
Hi, we’re Megan and Wendy your midlife besties! Join us on Patreon every Monday where we’re talking everyday life, pop culture, and more!
You can also find us on “Girls Gone Hallmark” on Tuesdays and Thursdays where we review new and fan-favorite Hallmark movies and ask the question: Did you see that?
