Friend Request

With social media at our fingertips wherever we go, it can seem strange that our online friends don’t always equate to real life relationships. As people move apart for various reasons and lose touch, many of us can start to feel isolated by the fact that we don’t have any real friends to simply hang out with. Nobody ever tells you that you might lose friends as you get older, and whilst you were so busy trying to maintain the ones that you’re losing touch with, you’ve become completely alien to how to make new friends in the first place. After all it’s not like dating, where you have an end goal of marriage and children. What can you offer another human being aside from a mutual understanding that sometimes the only friends you need is two guys named Ben & Jerry? But however much you try to ignore your anti-social behaviour, the truth is people need people! So put down the cookie dough because it’s time to emerge from the cocoon and become a social butterfly.

Get networking

You may be thinking that it’s a crazy idea, but until they create the Match.com of friendships you’re going to have to put in all the legwork yourself. Networking events can provide you with a great opportunity to find like minded people in a social environment, so you’re able to test the waters before committing to further friend-dates. With us all needing that real connection there are now lots of networking events around the UK for all types of activities and interests. From book clubs, dinner evenings, to cake and make. No matter what you’re into, take the courage to go along on your own and force yourself to socialise. 

Start a hobby

It’s the obvious one that your mum and granny will tell you time and time again, but there’s a valid reason they keep harping on about it, and that’s because hobbies really are the best way to meet new friends. Sharing a common interest and meeting up with the same people weekly or monthly, can help you to feel as though you’ve got a support network and something to look forward to after a hard day at work. Once you’ve established some friendships through the hobby, try to extend it outside of the confines of your regular meetup by inviting them to the cinema or for lunch at the weekend. Find something that you actually enjoy and you’ll soon find people who you can connect with.

Put yourself out there

We’ve all probably been hurt from ‘frenemies’ in the past, but don’t let a bad experience stop you from creating incredible friendships that could enhance your life and make you feel happy. It’s easy to avoid friendships and just always say no to any social invitations, but where will this get you? Be a YES woman and open yourself up to new experiences. Whether it’s the girls from the gym inviting you out, or the girls from work, just take the opportunity and do it. You never know who you might meet and the incredible changes it may bring to your life.