But it’s not always easy to make or keep friends. Life changes, people move or get busy, and it’s easy to be left feeling alone. If you’d like some new people in your life, you could join a group (try local meet-up groups), take a class, volunteer, or suggest a coffee with a colleague you don’t know very well. 

 

Closer connections  

The people we see in our day-to-day lives and chat or joke with as acquaintances are also important. You may even have moved on to socializing together. But how do you become real friends? 

 

Open up.

If you normally just talk about light things like the weather or the latest Netflix show, try making things more personal. Ask them what they think about the things that really matter or tell them what’s important to you.  

 

Remember, it’s a two-way street.

To be a good friend, you need to be a good listener and take a genuine interest in the other person. Ask about them and make a point of remembering what they tell you.  

 

Make time for your friends.

Friendship doesn’t just happen. You need to spend time together to truly connect – it doesn’t even have to be in person. So get some dates in the diary, and reach out regularly, whether over text, phone, email or Zoom.  

 

Why not make today the day to connect with your best friends or bring a few people closer? 

 

References