Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to make nuevas amistades as an adult? Growing up, it’s easier to meet people. You go to school with classmates in the same life stage as you. As we enter adulthood, that gets harder. People move. Our priorities change. Our vidas start to revolve around work and our familias. Everyone becomes engulfed in their own routines. We are in different phases of life, whether it be raising children, getting married, or focusing on our career.
But research has shown that friendships can lower your risk of heart disease, reduce stress levels, and improve your quality of life. A Standford study found that the difference between the most unhappy and most happy people was based on how socially connected they were.
The key to making nuevas amistades as an adult is to put in the effort.
While we could find social circles at school growing up, making friends as an adult is different. If you want to make nuevas amistades, try creating habits that will help you make those friendships as an adult.
Ways to build to make nuevas amistades in adulthood:
Be proactive in making an effort to get to know and connect with others. Put a smile on your face and initiate a conversation
Build self-confidence. Research has found that people often underestimate how much they are liked. Strengthening your self-confidence will make it easier to initiate or maintain conversations.
Ask Questions. Be inquisitive about the people you meet. Ask questions about their interests, why they have a particular point of view, or what brings them joy in life.
Keep being persistent. As you strive to establish nuevas amistades, you may face certain difficulties: you may be refused, the people you meet may be timid, or you might feel more comfortable staying at home. But motivate yourself to keep showing up.
Be engaged. Avoid taking on the role of a passive observer. Introduce yourself to others, inquire about them, and inquire if they would like to spend time together in the near future.
Places to make nuevas amistades:
Take up a new hobby and join a class. Join a class (like an educational, art, cooking, or fitness class) to meet others who share your interest in learning the same skill!
Invest in experiences. Amistades are built through shared experiences. Take a tour of your city or plan a group camping trip and get to know each other better. Invest in experiences that create meaningful memorias and help make new connections.
Go to meetups. Attending meetups and events in your local area is a great way to meet people who share similar interests with you.
Establish a Friendship Routine.
If you wish to form nuevas amistades, make it part of your routine to nurture them. For instance, set a goal of meeting a new friend for coffee once a week.
Volunteer. Volunteer for a cause that you believe in! You can support a cause you believe in, as well as meet people who believe in the cause’s mission.
Create your own meet-up. Consider what activities you like to do – such as going on hikes, hitting great taco spots, or playing loteria. If you can’t find a meet-up related to your interests, why not create one yourself!
Start a conversation with someone you don’t know. Don’t be afraid to start engaging with someone you’ve never met before! Waiting in line or at an event? Strike up a conversation – it can be a great opportunity to practice and build new friendships, even if you never see that person again in the future.
Although amistades may come easily during childhood, they require more effort as adults. Be proactive and involved in social activities. Ask questions, show interest in people and make plans to meet up with them again.
