Sometimes we go online and make friends with people we never would’ve met otherwise. In fact, I’d say most of us do. But how many people have actually made new REAL friends online? Not many, I bet.
Most people who have “made friends” online were already close to someone before they got online. And they had already established social bonds with these people offline. They just didn’t realize it yet. So if you want to find real friendships online, look within. Look for people with whom you already have mutual interests and commonalities. Then get offline and meet them!
In this article, I’m going to share my top 10 tips for making friends offline. These will help you find REAL friendships online instead of fake ones that only exist online.
Making new friends is one of life’s greatest satisfactions. If you don’t have any friends, it’s really hard to find happiness.
Here are 10 tips for making friends in real life.
#1. Make New Friends Online
It may seem impossible to find new friends these days since everyone’s online, but it isn’t impossible. There are plenty of social networking sites available, such as Facebook and Twitter.
Just use those tools to reach out to others and learn how to make new friendships.
#2. Find People Who Share Similar Interests
When I was younger, my parents would drive me to birthday parties so I didn’t have to spend hours alone at the party. Unfortunately, nowadays, kids don’t go anywhere without cell phones. They don’t leave the house unless accompanied by an adult.
I’m sure most of us can remember a time when we wouldn’t have minded going somewhere by ourselves. Nowadays it feels weird to walk away from our phones.
So instead of feeling left out, join groups of others who share similar interests. For example, if you play video games, join a gaming group. If you like reading books, read book clubs.
#3. Join Groups Where People Talk About Things That Interest You
In addition to joining interest groups, join groups where people talk about things that interest you.
Do you like history? Then you should join a historical society, where people talk about interesting topics related to history.
Are you interested in learning about animals? Go to a zoo or aquarium. Do you love music? Join a choir or band.
Join groups where people discuss subjects that interest you. You can learn a lot, grow closer to people, and sometimes even make lifelong friends.
#4. Be Open To Meeting New People
A friend told me recently that she loves to meet new people at church and finds it easier than meeting new people in real life. She said she spends her Sunday mornings doing Bible studies, prayer meetings, and fellowship with her church friends.
She said she meets people at church who have common interests, which makes forming relationships much simpler.
This same friend has discovered that the same thing happens at her job too – coworkers often become fast friends. Of course, she doesn’t tell anyone she works for the same company.
Now, I don’t recommend you limit yourself to joining religious organizations. Nor should you only join places where people share your religion. But if you do happen to find yourself in a place where people share your beliefs, then you’ll probably find it easier to form meaningful connections.
#5. Learn How To Say “No” And Stick With What You Want
Many times in life we say yes to something that we actually mean no. We agree to attend a party or a wedding when we want to sit home with a cup of tea and watch television.
We accept invitations to hang out with people when we’d rather be alone. Maybe you’re not used to saying no, or maybe you feel guilty after agreeing to do something that you want to avoid.
Sometimes we fail to stick to what we want because we aren’t willing to say no.
But there’s no harm in saying no every once in awhile. Saying no won’t stop others from asking you to do certain things. On the contrary, saying no to requests could actually benefit you.
For example, if you don’t want to go to a party, then you shouldn’t feel bad about refusing the invitation.
Saying no will also allow you to focus your efforts on accomplishing goals that matter most to you.
#6. Volunteer
Volunteering is another great way to make new friends. Volunteering gives you a chance to serve others, learn new things, and become part of a community. If you volunteer for a cause that holds your interest, you’ll probably find a group of individuals that share those same interests.
There are numerous organizations where you can sign up to volunteer, ranging from helping elderly adults with chores to working with children to volunteering for political campaigns.
Signing up to volunteer is extremely simple. All you have to do is visit volunteermatch.org to locate organizations that need volunteers.
#7. Avoid Negative People
Avoiding negative people in your life is key to becoming a friend magnet. When you hang out with negative people, you tend to feel down. Even worse, when you’re around negative people, you start thinking negatively too.
Negative people suck the joy out of our lives. So avoid them whenever possible.
#8. Pay Attention
Pay attention to what others are saying or you can use affirmation for friends. Watch their body language. Notice how they dress. Listen to them talk. Do any of these things sound familiar?
Sometimes we think that we don’t pay attention because we are busy. But paying attention takes very little time. All you really need to do is watch and listen. Remember, what goes on inside the head comes out through the mouth.
#9. Say “Hi”
People often forget to say hi to each other. Asking other people how they’re doing or asking them for directions is an effective way to break this habit. Saying hello to strangers puts you in the mindset of connecting with other people.
Plus, when you connect with other people, you make yourself approachable. Approachability is a key element of likability. People like to be approached and liked.
#10. Be Generous
Giving makes us happier than receiving. Giving is a selfless act. It gives without expecting anything in return. Being generous makes you feel better than not giving to others.
It may seem like a lot of effort to be nice to everyone all the time. However, if you see someone struggling, remember that your willingness to reach out can make them feel appreciated and loved.
