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Did you know that making new friends as an adult not only brings joy and companionship, but also contributes to a healthier and happier life?
![Friends at the beach sitting around a bonfire](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/learning-dev-89518.appspot.com/o/images%2F800%2F89638ac0-1c8e-11ee-b0ed-95f295632438.jpeg?alt=media&token=bb8e67aa-a446-43b0-80cc-8bfe647ce7e9)
Friends can:
reduce your stress levels
encourage healthier habits
support and uplift you in difficult times
promote your overall wellbeing
But, once college days are behind you and you're busy adulting, it can be difficult to meet people. Find social activities for adults that will help you meet new friends!
1. Join a club
Birds of a feather flock together.
Find your flock!
![Two women hiking with their packs.](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/learning-dev-89518.appspot.com/o/images%2F800%2F7eb95400-1c8f-11ee-b0ed-95f295632438.jpeg?alt=media&token=31629433-f904-4a23-80be-305fbda7f812)
Look for clubs that match your interests. This is your chance to meet people who love the same things as you! Check out this list to get you thinking:
Book club
Cooking club
Athletic clubs — hiking, running, any group workouts
Sports team(s) — soccer, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, etc.
Arts & crafts group — painting, drawing, ceramics, knitting, crocheting
Board games groups
Trivia competitions
Check with your local Parks & Recreation department to see what's available, or visit MeetUp and start your search online.
2. Network
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'
— author C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Networking events are all about making connections and meeting people who are interested in similar professional topics. They're a great place to make new friends as well as build valuable professional connections.
Look at the Career & Business Events listings on MeetUp and see if any are near you.
Join Toastmasters Internationalto improve your public speaking and accelerate your career growth.
Find a local chapter of a relevant professional organization and attend their events.
Attend a professional conference.
Work from a co-working space.
The biggest decision you'll have to make is who to talk to first!
Did you know?
Check out this Byte for more ideas on how to find local and virtual networking events.
3. Volunteer
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
— American inventor and politician Benjamin Franklin
There are a lot of needs in our communities. Lending a helping hand is always welcome and is another great social activity for adults.
![National Clean Up Day volunteers holding up a sign.](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/learning-dev-89518.appspot.com/o/images%2F800%2F218f1a50-1c97-11ee-a04b-2fa40fffa836.jpeg?alt=media&token=ad1bad7b-afcf-4add-8aab-3cdd28a20d09)
There is nothing more fulfilling than helping out with a cause dear to your heart. Not only will you be doing something good, but you'll also meet people who care about the same things.
To find volunteer opportunities that align with your values, contact:
local organizations you'd like to support and ask how you can help
VolunteerMatch to create a profile and be matched with local opportunities
If you prefer something less official, put on some gloves and pick up litter at the local park. Who knows, maybe you'll inspire someone to join you!
Did you know?
Check out this Byte to create your volunteering plan.
4. Learn something new
...much like friendship.
![Young adults talking in a class.](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/learning-dev-89518.appspot.com/o/images%2F800%2Fbe72ac50-1ca2-11ee-9a31-3709bd9645ca.jpeg?alt=media&token=cca1a001-5ef8-449d-afe0-f0ef927728e0)
What is something you always wanted to learn but didn't dare or didn't have the time?
Cooking?
Photography?
Dancing?
Foreign language?
Coding?
Acting?
Even Yoda agrees, there is no better time than right now! You'll get to meet new people and learn something new.
Look at local community college and university non-credit courses meant for continuing education to keep the costs low. Your local Parks & Recreation department, dance and art studios should have a few options too!
Did you know?
Some universities allow you to audit classes, which means attending lectures and participating in discussions without receiving official credit. Auditing courses is generally cheaper than enrolling for credit, and it can still provide you with valuable learning experiences and knowledge. Overall, community college classes cost less than university classes.
5. Get to know your neighbors
To have a friend, be a friend.
Being kind, dependable and a good listener will help you nurture new and existing friendships.
![Friends at a backyard dinner party.](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/learning-dev-89518.appspot.com/o/images%2F800%2Fc65cf630-1c95-11ee-a04b-2fa40fffa836.jpeg?alt=media&token=d5e0272c-0fb9-4cc9-924e-8fcf4c275ead)
There's no place like home, so try to make new friends in your community:
Introduce yourself to your neighbors and make time to connect with them.
Attend community events, like fairs, festivals, or farmers' markets. These events are a great way to have fun and meet new people from your neighborhood.
Volunteer at the community garden or a local organization.
Join a faith community and attend their new member events.
Attend and organize events. Make yourself available!
Don't forget, friendships are made over time. Reach out to people you've enjoyed meeting at these social activities and make a plan to meet again.
Quiz
Ann wants to make new friends. What options would help her reach that goal? Select all that apply:
To make new friends, Ann needs to make herself available. Being a good friend, reaching out to people and inviting them into her home, as well as going out of her comfort zone and trying new things are all great ways to make new friends. She should remember not to over-exert herself and make meaningful connections with people to build long-lasting relationships.
Take Action
This Byte has been authored by
Anita Damjanovic
Customer Education Specialist | Educator
PhD