Making new friends can be intimidating. If you want to know how to attract friends into your life, you’ll love this article.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in your mind and believe that everyone is analysing everything you do, but the good news is that these emotions will disappear when you get out in public more often.
The more you practice engaging with new people and doing new things, the easier it will be to naturally move into discussions and meet new people.
If you are true to yourself, honest and kind, you will make new friends in no time.
How to attract friends into your life:
1. Take part in a new activity that requires you to interact with others.
When you have a similar passion, it is much easier to connect with others.
If you don’t have a hobby, pick one that interests you and start going to events or meetings to meet others who share your interests. You can immerse yourself in hundreds of subcultures and groups just by attending events with new people.
If you like sports, this is a great choice. Basketball games, intramural sports leagues, co-ed softball and pool leagues are fantastic ways to meet other sports fans.
Game rooms and computer cafes often host large board game or video game events or competitions.
If you want to meet people of literature or art, book readings are a great place to start. Local libraries and colleges often host a number of free readings and speeches.
If you’re interested in the visual arts, gallery openings are a fantastic way to meet new people.
2. Join a group or take a class on a topic that interests you.
If you are still at school, look for a student group or club that interests you and ask about joining. If you don’t go to school, sign up for a cool activity at your local community college, library or charity.
Choose a subject you don’t know much about to meet other people who want to learn something new.
If you want to meet people who enjoy discussing difficult topics and reading, book clubs are a great place to start.
If you’re interested in politics, political organisations and clubs that focus on social change are ideal.
Volunteer groups are a fantastic way to meet people who love to give back to society.
If you’re a college student, fraternities and sororities are a great choice.
3. Take part in free community activities in your area to meet people in a structured environment.
Most coffee shops, bookstores and student entertainment centres have cork boards with flyers.
Read the flyers the next time you come across one. Free meetings, charity events and concerts are often advertised. These meetings are a fantastic way to meet new people!
Only attend classes that interest you. If you don’t like knitting and you go to a crochet class, you probably won’t get on with anyone.
4. Introduce yourself the next time you meet someone your own age.
Friendships are often formed between people just because they live near each other.
Introduce yourself to neighbours who are your age the next time you see them. Start a series of short, pleasant conversations and gradually expand them over time. You may meet a new friend or two along the way.
Drink your morning coffee, do your schoolwork, or read a book on the porch if you live in a busy neighborhood from time to time. You never know when someone will approach you!
5. Talk more to those you already talk to.
Many people form deep bonds with people they work with or go to school with.
Start talking to your students or colleagues more often if you don’t know them well. Because you have experience behind you, you will already have something to talk about.
Breaking the ice can be as simple as mentioning a humorous client meeting, discussing a recent policy change at work or discussing a difficult exam.
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6. Go to the pub to meet new people.
If you are old enough to drink, stay in your pub and occasionally sit at the bar (not a table).
Slowly sip your drink and listen for opportunities to joke or join in with other regulars. People go to the bar primarily to interact with others, so it’s a great place to meet new people.
If you’re older, meetups and online groups are also great options.
7. Accept all invitations and pave your own way to all meetings.
Even if you don’t want to go or are nervous before going, say yes if someone asks you to do something.
To force yourself to engage with new people, go to meetings to which you have been invited alone.
If you bring a close buddy with you, you’ll spend the whole time chatting with them instead of making new friends.
This is very important advice for weddings! Because there are so many people in one place, weddings are a great opportunity to meet new people.
8. When you are at a public event, keep your chin up and be visible.
Always keep your chin up when you are walking somewhere.
If you’re glancing down or staring at your phone, you’re subconsciously sending a message that you don’t want to talk to people.
To show that you are open and ready to talk to people, avoid sitting in corners or at the back of the room.
When it comes to encouraging people and enticing them to talk to you, body language is key. Sitting quietly and not approaching others is a poor technique for making friends, but if you want people to approach you, you need to appear open to conversation.
9. Start lightly and let the conversation flow naturally.
Start with politeness and don’t try to move the conversation into serious territory right away.
Start with a simple “How are you?” and let the interviewer speak for themselves. To avoid discouraging or surprising people, don’t bring up any deeper topics until they come up naturally.
The best question you can ask a new friend is probably “How are you?” This question serves as an open invitation for people to talk about anything they choose.
10. To start a conversation with people, ask them about themselves.
People will think you are not interested in them if you just start talking about yourself.
To send the message that you want to know more about the person you are talking to, steer the discussion in their direction.
People love to talk about themselves, and if you seem engaged with the person you are talking to, you are more likely to establish a relationship.
11. Laugh at their jokes and, if possible, tell your own.
People love to share jokes, and if you look back on your past friendships, you’re sure to recall some of the best moments where laughter was involved.
If the person you’re talking to says something funny, laugh about it. Act like it’s funny, even if it’s not.
Let out a small, carefree laugh. Do this if you have the opportunity to make the speaker laugh. Sharing jokes with others is a fantastic way (1) for others to connect with you.
Don’t exaggerate. If the joke was a misfire or you didn’t get it, you may come off as arrogant if you start laughing as if you delivered the best joke in the world.
12. When talking to someone, smile and make eye contact.
When it comes to making good connections, body language is key.
Maintain eye contact with the person you are chatting with and smile whenever appropriate to indicate that you are excited to talk to them.
The person you are talking to may assume you don’t want to talk to them if you look away while they are talking. If you don’t smile, the other person may feel uncomfortable.
Don’t grin so hard that your cheeks hurt. A modest, unforced smile on your face is enough.
When the other person speaks for more than 30-45 seconds, try to nod slightly. This sends a signal that you are paying attention.
13. Weave some sincere compliments into the discussion.
People like to receive praise and are more likely to enjoy talking to you if they feel appreciated and respected.
To make someone feel more comfortable in their own skin, make a small remark about their clothes, hair or an issue they have raised.
Just don’t overdo it and don’t get too intimate too quickly.
14. Before ending the discussion, ask for contact details.
If the conversation is going well and lasts more than 5-10 minutes, ask for the other person’s phone number, social media account or email address.
Try to link your request to something you’ve talked about before.
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15. Exchange your old clothes for fresh, more fashionable ones.
Remove anything from your wardrobe that is worn out, out of style or no longer fits you. Then go shopping and buy new clothes.
Don’t buy something you don’t like and don’t try to pass yourself off as someone you’re not. For extra choice and variety, simply rearrange your wardrobe.
Sunglasses are a fantastic addition to your outfit if you’re nervous about meeting new people. It’s easier to avoid showing others that you’re anxious if you cover your eyes. They also make you seem like a cool dude!
Don’t be afraid to dress in bright colours (2). A unique jacket or shirt can be a fantastic conversation starter.
16. Get rid of stage fright by exposing yourself to new experiences and people.
The more you do new things, the more confident you will become. Stick with it and introduce yourself to new people, even if one or two attempts don’t go as planned.
Over time, you will gain important experience, and each new encounter will be easier than the last.
Interacting with strangers can be intimidating, and there’s nothing wrong with that if you find it difficult at first. Just try your best and keep going.
17. Avoid self-deprecating humour and never criticise yourself.
No one likes to be in the company of a pessimist. If you seem confident, optimistic and well-adjusted, people are much more likely to be attracted to you.
Don’t make jokes about how terrible you are at something or how ignorant you are.
It’s tempting to do this when you feel awkward or insecure, but if you want to make a good impression on potential friends, you should avoid it.
18. Improve your overall attitude by doing activities you love.
When you engage with other people, you are more likely to put them in a good mood if you are cheerful. Don’t forget to take care of yourself when trying to make new friends.
Continue activities you love, fulfill school and work obligations, and exercise regularly to stay fit.
Spend time with your close friends, if you already have some. It is important to value and appreciate the people who are already in your life.
19. To inspire others around you, be optimistic and compassionate.
Show compassion and empathy to others, avoid gossip and be kind to others. Others will naturally lean towards you if you are a positive person.
It’s easy to get caught up in the bad things, so carve out time each day to share happiness and focus on the good. Even if you feel sad, remind yourself of the things that make you happy to keep your spirits up.
A simple way to do this is to perform a random act of kindness every day. Say something nice to a stranger, help an elderly person crossing the street or give way on the bus to someone who seems to be in need.
20. Cherish your friends by spending time with them.
If you make a new acquaintance, try to keep in touch with them. Invite them over regularly and check in with them to see how they’re doing.
Make the most of your time with your mates!
The purpose of making new friends is to strengthen existing friendships, so don’t ignore your existing friends when you meet new people.
Don’t be afraid to walk away from relationships that don’t serve you or keep you in a good mood.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article about how to attract friends into your life. I sincerely hope its contents have been a good help to you.
