Who are your best friends?
A recent survey has determined you might not have a lot of close relationships in your life. In fact, the number of people who claim to have more than three solid friendships in their lives is only 37% or one-third of the population.
Even more discouraging is the idea that fully 27% of adults say they have no close relationships or meaningful relationships at all.
Making more friends as an adult is a daunting idea. For one thing, we’re swamped. We get caught up on our personal and family responsibilities and business goals that frequently we don’t make time for a social life outside of loose connections with our kids friends’ parents and professional networking. Who has the extra time to dedicate to making friends?
Thankfully, you do. It actually takes less time and effort than you think to discover the joy of adult friendships. You can start with these simple tips:
Start with the Old
Why reinvent the wheel? Instead, ask yourself who your old friends used to be. Is it possible you can rekindle some old friendships? In this era of social media, tracking down your best friend from high school is easier than ever. Why not shoot someone a quick message or text to open up the connection all over again?
Become a Listener
When in groups of new people, rather than working hard to be involved and the life of the party, why not take a step back? Making a point to actively listen to people makes you more attractive to those around you (everyone loves a listener) and puts you in the position of discovering the things which intrigue you most about others. It’s a simple way to learn about shared interests, so you can strike up a friendship.
Take it to the Next Level
Have an acquaintance but aren’t quite ready to call them new friends yet? Try opening up a little. Being vulnerable forges intimacy with others and deepens new friendships, taking them to the next level.
Stay in Touch
Worried about how to hang onto the close friends you have? If you want to keep people from falling off the radar and becoming distant, show you are interested by making a point to check in with them once in a while. Send a text, make a call, set up a chance to get together. By checking in, you’re telling the other person they’re important to you and worth your time. A general rule of thumb? Connect about every two weeks.
Make a Group
Even better? Start putting your good friends together in one place by creating a group of friends. There’s nothing more fun than hanging out in a gathering of people who enjoy each other’s company. Start simple, with a lunch date or drinks after work.
5 Reasons Why Adult Friendships are so Important
Why is it we never put enough emphasis on the important things in life? Are we really that busy?
Sadly, we tell ourselves precisely that. In fact, studies have shown we’re not taking the time for friends like we used to. According to a survey taken in the 1980s, the average adult had a minimum of three friends they were close to. Thirty years later, the same study came out with some chilling news. As many as one in four people claim to have no friends at all.
Why is it we don’t enjoy adult friendships? Could it be we’ve somehow gotten the idea they’re really not necessary? This is absolutely not the case. In fact, below, you will find five reasons why good friends are crucial to your life and your good health.
Friends Give Necessary Support
We’re not meant to go it alone. We need friends to act as everything from cheerleaders to a shoulder to cry on.
Friends Teach Us How to Act
How do we conduct ourselves? If you’re socially awkward, it might be because no one taught you specific social skills critical to success. Friends are where we learn those skills. It’s with friends that we practice, finding out both what’s acceptable and what’s not. What’s more, friends help us get out of the ruts we fall into and challenge us to try social situations we might not otherwise consider.
Friends Give Us a Reality Check
Who else but a good friend is going to tell you when you’re lying to yourself or wandering down the wrong path entirely? This kind of tough love is what keeps us from disaster and guides us away from the pitfalls of life.
Couple Friendships Guide Our Own Relationships
Not everyone was blessed with parents who modelled good relationship skills. Having “couple friends” is where we form our impressions of how couples in romantic relationships interact. It’s from these relationships we learn how to balance things like work and romance and how to handle the parenting component. Being able to talk to other couples about challenges unique to this kind of relationship also gives a much-needed place to learn.
Friendships are Good for Your Health
Studies have shown people who sustain healthy friendships live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. People who regularly spend time with friends are shown to adopt healthier lifestyles, experience fewer physical ailments such as heart disease, and have fewer issues with dementia as they age.
In short, adult friendships are an important part of your life and worth exploring. Now is not the time to hold back. Get out there, meet people, and discover all that life has to offer. Making time for building friendships should be a priority for all adults.
When did making friends as an adult become so hard? As older adults where can we go to meet people & how do we find these new friendships. Read our post How to Make friends as an adult
