3 Tips for Making Friends

Watching my children making friends looks effortless on their part. They introduce themselves, and instantaneously, they’ve got a best friend. Me on the other hand, the uncertainty of the endeavor is always a challenge. It usually takes me a few months of getting the lay of the land to even attempt to make friends. If I do not have all my ducks in a row, it’s hard for me to concentrate on making friends.

However, when I do venture out of my little bubble, these are the three tips I use to make friends:

1. Join a group.

I have always been a joiner. As a military dependent, having a sense of belonging within my community has always motivated me to make friends quickly. I love being a part of a group. From Girl Scouts to marching band, and everything in between, I have loved the camaraderie associated with being part of a team. There are so many ways to get involved as an adult. Think of your interest, then reach out to the group aligned with similar values.

With the pandemic and not being able to meet friends in person, I started blogging, something I would never have considered before. I have been able to meet so many wonderful people, some within my community. And sometimes, I must take a leap of faith when trying something out of my comfort zone.

2. Enlist your spouse for help.

Oftentimes, other spouses are looking for friendship. Ask your service member to see if any of their coworkers are in the same situation. Something as easy as meeting up for a cup of coffee can spark instant friendships. In the past, I have even become friends with Brandon‘s coworkers!

This can work both ways.

I’ve introduced Brandon to some of his coworkers who have children the same ages as ours. If you are vocal about wanting friendships, it will be easier to meet someone who wants a friend. Being quiet at home isn’t going to help you make friends. There are plenty of opportunities to meet potential friends through your spouses’ organization. The Soldier and Family Readiness Group is a great way to meet fellow spouses. 

3. Volunteer! 

This is the easiest way I have been able to make friends. Growing up, my mom would always participate in the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at our school. By attending meetings and participating in the fundraising events, she was able to make friends within our local community, and frequently, those friends had children who were the same ages as my siblings and me. Being part of the PTA kept my mom involved, and I was able to make friends through her involvement. It was a win-win solution! 

Grab a cup of coffee, go out to lunch, or meet up at a local shop. Making friends is a lot easier than I imagined once I got out of my comfort zone. I hope these tips help you broaden your friend group. Just remember that, to make a friend, you must be a friend. Treat people how you’d like to be treated. Go out there and make some friends this summer!

If you liked this post, check out An Introvert’s Guide to Getting to Know Others, Making New Friends Isn’t Easy, and Friends: Make Them, Keep Them.