Even though the human population has exploded in recent centuries, it is somehow more difficult than ever to meet people and form close friendships. The number of people you can potentially contact has grown exponentially, but this hasn’t positively affected your circle of friends. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that just because you live in close proximity to others doesn’t necessarily mean that you will all share the same interests. There is also the illusion of choice in that you might be tricked into believing that there are always more interesting and like-minded people around the corner rather than making the most of the friends you have now. If you have been struggling to make connections and share your interests with others, here are a few ways you can start to change that.
Go Online
Although being able to physically meet up is a valuable part of many friendships, it isn’t essential. The internet has made it easy to reach out to people on the other side of the world. You could contribute to a forum about something that interests you and then strike up a conversation with the other members. You could play online multiplayer games and get to know your teammates or competitors. Online friendships can be just as fulfilling as in-person ones.
Enjoy Your Own Interests
Sometimes the effort of finding people who share your interests can make it feel as if you’ll never meet anyone you have something in common with. However, if you stop focusing on meeting people and start enjoying your interests purely for yourself, you’ll be surprised how easily connections can be made. If many of your interests are relatively solitary, consider expanding them slightly to include opportunities to be around other people. For example, although figure model painting can be a solo pastime, there are stores that sell specialist paint and materials that other hobbyists will visit.
Get to Know Friends of Friends
It can be easier to meet new people by getting to know your friends’ friends. Since you already have something in common with your friend, chances are you will share some interests with their friends too. Ask your friend to arrange a group social event where you can meet each other.
Support a Cause You Care About
If you are passionate about improving the lives of others, you can easily meet like-minded people by volunteering to help out. For example, you could give your time to a veterans charity or a homeless shelter. Other generous and community-minded people will also be helping out and you might find other shared interests the more you get to know them.
Start a Club
If you are having trouble finding places to meet people who share your interests, you could set up your own club and let other people know about it. This could be in your local area or online. It can be daunting at first, but taking the initiative is how you make lasting friendships.
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