As an introvert who always struggled with making friends, the lockdown period has made it even more challenging to develop friendships. And, I’m not alone in this. Undoubtedly, everyone seems to have this exact same problem. Even extroverts, to whom socializing came easy, find it hard to connect with people after lockdown. COVID-19 posed challenges in every area of our lives. Our relationships with friends and family are no different. Imagine then how difficult it would be for someone to form meaningful connections after moving to a new city in a Post-Pandemic World. If this sounds like you, then we have some helpful tips on how to make friends in a new city. So, read on!
Why Bother with Making Friends In a New City? 4 Benefits of Friendships
But first, why should you even bother with making friends? Some people are of the lone wolf mindset. They are so self-sufficient that they think of Friendships as unnecessary distractions. According to them, their lives won’t be impacted much even if they don’t have friends. Especially, youngsters think like this. However, this thought process is often a coping mechanism for loneliness and trauma due to fake friends. To prove, here are some great advantages of friendship and having good friends.
1. Friends give you a Sense of Belonging
It won’t be wrong to say that friends are your chosen family. We can’t control who our parents and siblings are. Similarly, some people are not blessed with a loving and supportive family. In the scenario, friends become your family. They become the people you go to for comfort and support. Essentially, they become your support system. You feel a sense of belonging in this world because of them. Friends take away your feelings of loneliness and isolation. Therefore, it’s even more important to know how to make friends in a new city.
2. You’re Less Likely to Experience Stress and Anxiety
Loneliness contributes significantly to several mental illnesses. If a person does not have friends, they are much more likely to experience stress, anxiety and other psychological disorders. That’s why everyone needs at least a small group of friends to keep them sane. Healthy friendships and having a group of supportive friends improve mental health and build self-esteem.
3. Strong Bonds Improve your Physical Health
There’s ample research to suggest that high-quality friendships are responsible for lower rates of chronic illnesses and mortality. When you’re healthy in mind, you become healthy in body as well. Spending time with your friends leads to happiness and many feel-good chemicals to be released in your body. Consequently, these play a role in improving your physical health.
4. Friends Contribute to Your Personal Development
Undoubtedly, it is a fact that good friends help you become a better you. They care about your well-being and always advise on what’s better for you. In so many cases, they’re the ones who help us see the error in our ways. Good friends help us change for the better. And without a doubt, we can rely on them to cheer us on whenever we’re doing something new and unfamiliar. Therefore, having healthy friendships leads to the personal development of people.
Top 10 Ways to Make Friends in a New City
It seems like a daunting task to reach out to people in a big unfamiliar place. However, with the following tips, it becomes less intimidating. By trying these various methods, you can quickly learn how to make friends in a new city. Chances are, at least one of them will work!
1. Reach out to the Friends or Acquaintances of your Friends
One of the easiest ways to rekindle friendship after COVID-19 and make friends in an unfamiliar place is to reach out to the friends of your friends. These people on the outer edge of your social circle will be your saviour in a new big city. Fortunately, you’ll also have a friend in common, making the initial conversations less awkward. So, if you’re new in a big city, try to ask your friends if they have any acquaintances nearby. Hit them up for a coffee or drink and get to know each other!
2. Connect with your Co-workers
If you moved to a new city as an adult, chances are it was work-related. So, make the most of it by getting to know your co-workers. Your colleagues are another easy bunch to make friends with because you have things in common – your workplace or your evil boss. Moreover, you’re likely to spend much of your time with them too. That’s why it doesn’t hurt to make an effort to connect with them.
3. Make an effort to Befriend your Neighbours
An essential point about how to make friends in a new city in any article will tell you to be nice to your neighbours. There are plenty of social benefits to be had in this. If your neighbours are the same age as you, it’ll be easy to be friends with them. If not, it still doesn’t hurt to have friendly neighbours. When you move into a new house, it’s customary to cook something homemade and share it with your neighbours in many cultures. This way, not only leave a good first impression but also get an opportunity to talk. Additionally, you can invite your co-workers and acquaintances to a little housewarming party to get to know them better.
4. Use Friendship Apps
Friendship apps are also another quick and easy way to get to know more people in an unfamiliar place. They work just like dating apps. The only difference is that instead of meeting up for hookups or romantic relationships, you meet people with the intention to make friends. Pretty easy and straightforward, right? So, get the best friendship apps in 2021 right now and start making friends. Chances are, you’ll find plenty of people with similar interests as you. Furthermore, certain apps target specific interests. For example, K-pop and k-dramas. These apps attract people who are interested in South Korean culture from all over the world. I’m sure you can find at least one person in your vicinity.
5. Volunteer for a Cause and Meet Like-minded People
Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people. Research and find out some local organizations that support a cause you care about. Get in touch with their offer to volunteer. This is a sure-fire way to meet new people and make friends. If you’re an animal lover, volunteering at a local animal shelter is sure to connect you with kind and warm-hearted people.
6. Be Friendly to People while taking your Dog on Walks
If you have a dog, then you’re in luck. All you have to do is take your dog to walks frequently, and people will naturally gravitate towards you – or, more specifically, your dog. People love dogs and pets in general. They’re always looking to pet, cuddle and play with them. While going on a dog walk, you’ll realize that people will often stop you from interacting with your dog. Turn the small talks into a more profound friendship gradually! Take this chance because that’s a secret tip on how to make friends in a new city.
7. Visit Local Parks and Museums, etc.
Another way to interact with many people is to visit the local parks, museums, art galleries, etc. However, in this scenario, you’ll have to be the proactive one. Try going up to someone admiring the same painting as you and make small talk. Who knows, you might find more things in common.
8. Sign up for Arts and Crafts Classes
The key to making friends in a new city is to have things in common. When you share something with someone, you naturally form a sense of friendship with them. That’s why, if you want to know how to make friends in a new city, then sign up for arts and crafts classes. It doesn’t have to be arts specifically; there are many to choose from, such as photography, painting, knitting, drawing, gardening, pottery, dance, martial arts, etc. In short, any new skill or hobby you’re interested in. Admittedly, you’ll find it easier to make friends with your class fellows.
9. Try Yoga and Meditation Workshops
Similarly, you should also try enlisting in yoga and meditation workshops. Not only it’ll help you be mentally but also provide an excellent opportunity to meet new people. Since these workshops are likely to have more women in attendance, it’ll be a good chance to form female friendships.
10. Reach out to Instagram Users based on Tagged Pictures
This is a more unconventional way to make friends. But, you can reach out to people who tagged a local restaurant in their pictures. Ask for a review and how they like the food. From here, you can mention that you’re new in the city and would like some recommendations. If the conversation goes well, ask them to show you around. See, this way, you can get to know people based on their tagged pictures. The restaurant review ideas work fabulously if you’re a food lover. However, if that’s not your thing, that’s okay. Look for hiking trails, national parks, nearby resorts or other hangout places.
In conclusion, there are many ways to get to know people and form good friendships in an unfamiliar place. Try any of the above-mentioned ways and let us know how that worked out for you! You just need to know how to make friends in a new city by connecting with people based on common interests.
Also Read: Practical Housewarming Gift Ideas that Everyone will Love!