Friendship: Tips for Making New Friends.

Friendship: Tips for Making New Friends.

I had a best friend in my native town. She used to hang out with me all the time. We would stay up all night laughing, talking, and enjoying each others company. Unfortunately, I moved to other city and then it was! Loneliness! Of course, we still friends and I can spend hours on phone with her, but there was nobody right there to me. I was officially best friendless. I had spent a lot of time making online friends, but being a stay-at-home girl doesn’t go further than occasional meeting with strangers that usually not as pleasant as online.

I believe if you have five or more friends with whom to discuss an important matter you’re far more likely to describe yourself as “very happy.” Our life is getting so quick, that often we do not have time for making new friends. Which is bad! New friends bring new ideas, fresh views and other interests. I have some friends that are very closed and protect their privacy. Thus, there are scared of meeting new people. They believe the best friend they met in childhood is the only to trust to. Think positive! Trust more people and share your interests with them. Not only does having strong relationships make it far more likely that you take joy in life, but studies show that it also lengthens life (incredibly, even more than stopping smoking), boosts immunity, and cuts the risk of depression.

“Okay, okay,” you’re thinking, “I get it -- but it’s not that easy to make new friends.” Here are some strategies to try, if you’re eager to make friends, but are finding it tough:

1. Show up. Eighty percent of your success is just to show up,” a big part of friendship is showing up. Whenever you have the chance to see other people, take it. Go to the party, meetings, exhibitions, concerts, public events. Make the effort. The repeated meetings make you like someone better – and makes that person like you better, too. You’re much more likely to become friends with someone if you see him or her often. I’ve seen this happen over and over in my life. I’ve become close to unlikely people, just because circumstances put us in constant contact.

2. Join a group. Being part of a group, where you have common interests and are brought together automatically, is the easiest way to make friends: starting a new job, taking a class, having a baby, joining a congregation, or moving to a new neighborhood are great opportunities to join a group. If those situations aren’t an option, try to find a different group to join. Get a dog, for example. Or pursue a hobby more seriously. An added advantage to making friends through a group is that you can strengthen your friendships to several people at once -- very helpful if you don't have a lot of free time.

3. Form a group. If you can’t find an existing group to join, start a group based around something that interests you. Movies, wine, cheese, pets, training, a language, a worthy cause…You’ll get a chance both for personal development as a leader of some group and making friends that share common interests with you.

4. Say nice things about other people. It’s a kind way to behave; also, studies show that because of the psychological phenomenon, people unintentionally transfer to you the traits you ascribe to other people. So if you tell Nick that Kate is arrogant, unconsciously Nick associates that quality with you. On the other hand, if you say that Mary is hilarious, you’ll be linked to that quality.

5. Make an effort to smile. Big surprise, studies show that the amount of time you smile during a conversation has a direct effect on how friendly you’re perceived to be. This will make you feel better anyway, even if you fail to make a new friend this time. Smiling is a great habit which opens a lot of doors in front of you.

7. Make friends with friends-of-friends. People tend to befriend the friends of their friends. So friends-of-friends is an excellent place to start if you’re trying to expand your circle.

8. Ask questions. Don’t be scared to ask questions. People like to show off, especially concerning their professional areas. Asking questions makes you look interested and friendly. Leave the personal questions for later.

9. Take Pictures. One of the great things about taking pictures at an event or party is that it gives you an excuse to get in touch with the person later.  Everybody loves seeing pictures of themselves, and it’s very easy after taking a picture to say “Are you on Facebook?” or “If you’d like I can email it to you.”This can lead to new connections. The next time you hear about a fun event email your new contacts to let them know about it.

10. Travel more. Travelling is always great, they both can open your mind, bring a lot of fun and turn into a great adventure. There are always a lot of interesting people you can make friends to while traveling. Travelling alone is not a phycho diagnose any more. There are millions of people doing it all over the world. Take this challenge and you will be rewarded.

It worked for me, check this out too. You can help me with some fresh ideas as well. I would be really nice of you.