Hi, I'd like us to be friends

(Read time <5 mins)

Hey,

I actually said this to my manager during an interview for a 6 month project, working in my local community. It obviously wasn’t too rash to say, because I got the job, and I made a few friends out of the experience.

But it’s hard making friends as an adult. Between our busy lives, the world and just looking for a moment of peace for yourself, making time to make friends is hard. But it’s statistically (reference lol) proven that friendships improve our lives (even when our environment is not great).

I realised this statistic was right, when I found that once I had friends in my area, I didn’t hate living in my area as much. Turns out if you have friends to hang out with, you can find things to do. And even someone like me, who likes to be alone and do things alone, knowing that I have friends, means I have the option to not be alone.

So, how do you go and find friends, so you can have options to enjoy your life?

• Work - It may seem strange to seek friendship in a place you dread, but one of my closest friends (you know who you are 😉) was a work friend, who I gossiped with. What started as a work friend, became an actual friend, and beyond work gossip, we talk about books, our lives and all the things between.

• Network - (Now I’m just using corporate jargon). But, if you go out to an event you like, lets say an exercise class, you will be in a room with people who have a shared interest with you in that class. It takes one hit of those endorphins and you will definitely chat to someone, and create a basic foundation for a friendship.

• Horizon Scanning - (The corporate jargon defo worked here). Once you have 1 friend, that friend will hopefully have at least one other. Meet them, and see who else they know. Now by just meeting 1 person, your horizon for more friendships has expanded, because each new person you meet/befriend, will (hopefully) have other friends to expose you to. Lo and behold, you will grow a social circle.

I’m sure there are more ways to make new friends, but these are all ways that I implemented in the last 2 years, and my social circle AND calendar has grown immensely.

I now don’t hate the area as much. I see a prospective future for me here, if I chose to stay. And even if I decide to relocate somewhere else, I have experience in creating friendships, so it won’t be as daunting if I had to start afresh. And that is the thought that makes adulting for the rest of my life, that little bit easier.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great week.

Speak soon,

Rue

Adulting For Life