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  • 6 Tips for Making Friends in Midlife

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    The older we get the harder it seems to make new friends. People are busy with their families appear to have full social calender’s and aren’t always open to make time for new friends.

    Middle age is also the time we tend to look around at our social circles. Are our friendships still there? Have we lost friends due to illness, a move, or divorce? Do we want something different out of our friendships? As we age, we tend to have less tolerance or energy for fluff friendships. We want substance and real, genuine connections.

    We often hear from people in our therapy rooms that they don’t feel satisfied with their current friends, they’ve grown apart from previously close friends as their lives have evolved or they just want to have more people they can count on.

    But making friends when you’re older is not always that easy. It was simple in school or during those early days in our first job – you saw the same people every single day. You were surrounded by friend candidates. But once you hit middle age, it becomes more difficult to meet new people.

    The good news is, while challenging, it’s very possible to make new and lasting friendships. Here are some tips to help you make new friends in midlife:

    1. Don’t Feel Embarrassed
    There is no reason to feel embarrassed about being lonely or friendless. It is far more common than we are led to believe from the media. So, don’t feel bad, and get ready to put yourself out there.

    2. Volunteer
    Volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share your values. As an added bonus, studies have shown that people who volunteer are healthier and live longer!

    3. Use social media.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Join some of your local Facebook groups. Start commenting on post that you align with. Post about who you are and your desire to connect with other like minded people. you will be surprised how many other people are looking for the same thing as you. Talk with them on line and if goes well see if they would like to meet in real life.

    4. Take a Class
    Do you have a passion for dance? Painting? Photography? Taking a class is a great way to learn more about something you already love, be engaged, keep your brain young, and meet people with similar interests and hobbies.

    5. Reach Out to Acquaintances
    How many times have you run into someone you “sort of know” at a work function or at your local Starbucks. Every time you have a conversation with this person you think, “Gee, I wish we were friends.”

    The next time you see this person, ask if they’d like to have lunch. Get their contact information and follow up. You never know, it could be the start of something worthwhile.

    6. Get into the Habit of Being Social
    By midlife we’ve gotten into some pretty significant habits. Some good…some not so good. If you’ve never been a social butterfly – but instead someone who is used to staying home with the kids or simply staying in because it’s easier – putting yourself out there will probably feel weird. However, it’s important to try to be social daily. This could mean simply taking a walk around your city or neighborhood and saying hello to friendly faces or calling up an acquaintance for a chat.

    Good relationships are important for our overall health and the quality of our lives. While it may seem intimidating to build new friendships in midlife, these can actually be some of the most lasting and profound connections we end up making.

    Do you believe you lack social connections because of fear, grief, or a low self-esteem? If you’d like to explore therapy, please get in touch. We would be more than happy to talk about how we may help.

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