No one tells you that one of the hardest things about becoming an adult can be finding friends! It is so easy while you are in school. You literally see each other every day but as soon as you graduate or move away you have to basically start all over. Now obviously you can still have your close friends, that regardless of distance or stage of life you’re still close. But having friends in close proximity is SO important! It is important for your faith life, your marriage, and so much more! Now the question is how to find these friends. Well, I happen to have quite a bit of experience when it comes to this topic. I moved multiple states away from home without knowing one single person after college.
Finding Friends
The first thing I would suggest is to join a women’s small group at church. Obviously, if you are moving to a new place you’ll have to find a church first but I highly recommend this one! I have found that in order to really grow in my faith I needed to surround myself with other Christian women to help me walk through life.
This next one might shock you a bit but I have made a lot of friends on the internet. Now before you go whispering to the person next to you that I have weird internet friends let me explain. Through joining network groups and encouragement groups on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, I have made friends with people that led to real-life friendships, as in, we hang out in real life. I have also used the Bumble app (it has a BFF mode that just connects you to other women in your area that are also on the hunt for new friends.).
Now, be honest with me, how often are you in local coffee shops? If you are anything like me, you love to spend time working and sipping coffee at your local spot. What a great place to meet people! I know that most people are wearing headphones and working on the grind while they are there so it can be awkward to start a conversation. But I have had some of the best conversations with random people who interrupted my jam session at the coffee shop. Try it!
Who doesn’t love a good farmers market or craft fair?! No one? That’s what I thought! All those creative people behind those booths would love to have a conversation with you! I have the sweetest friend that I met from a craft fair when I first moved down here just by having a conversation about her products!! So easy right?!
This next one is so fun! Join a local book club! Most libraries host book club and facilitate the meetings for discussions! A perfect opportunity to meet new friends! You’re welcome!
I personally am a workout junkie! I love to try new gyms and boot camps and have met so many cool people in the process! Now I have a friend who trains to climb mountains all over the world! Pretty awesome right?! All from just saying hello to someone on the elliptical beside me!
If you know me, you know I love Monday nights because that is the night we play volleyball in a local adult rec league! Most leagues let you sign up as a ‘free agent’ and they will put you on a team that is short a player or two or if there are enough ‘free agents’ they will make a whole team! I know a solid amount of people just from being in that league! Everyone on our team is a new friend for both my husband and I. By that I mean neither one of us knew them before we got married.
Volunteering!!!!! I am a huge advocate for this because I have the most beautiful experience with it! I literally met my husband a month after I moved to South Carolina by signing up for a community playground build at a local park. My whole reasoning for going was to make new friends and not only did I accomplish that, but I was also offered a job too! They say that volunteering brings so much joy and boy does it!
Over the last year, I have made many new friends by joining a support group for infertility. The vulnerability that those women have with others and myself can’t help but form deep connections! Whatever you may be going through, I am sure there is some kind of support group near you for it!
Last but not least, I have made some beautiful friendships with my husbands’ friends’ wives. I know this can kind of feel awkward or strange at first. Like you are walking into a group where you don’t belong but if they love your spouse they will care for you too!
Did you find these tips helpful?
I would love to hear from you! If you found these helpful or have an experience of your own from trying to find new friends, I hope you’ll share in the comments below! If you are a 20 something mom and looking to find new friends that are in that same stage of life I would encourage you to check out my friend Courtney’s post! She is sharing 10 ways to find new friends as a 20 something mom!
3 comments
I experienced this same thing when I married Sydney’s father. Thirty years later, I have met some amazing people that I call sweet friends. Church and co-ed sport leagues were my first connections. Over the years, the 4-H organization, Extension Homemakers, and education became special interests for me. I have dear friends in those areas as well. Sydney, I am so proud of how brave you are and how you go after your dreams. Love you very much!❤️
Thank you mom! I get it all from you! ❤️
These are great!!!