How Can Single Adults Make New Friends
No, we are not talking about dating!
Three years ago, as I prepared for my move to a farm in northern Wisconsin, I grappled with excitement and uncertainty. Questions like “Will I become a recluse, again?” and “Will locals see me as a cowboy because I’m from Arizona?” kept popping up in my mind. But the most pressing question was how to form new friendships as an adult, particularly without a partner.
Relocating isn’t the only life event that can trigger the need for new friendships. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, drastically shrank our social circles, confining us primarily to family and a handful of close friends. As a result, many of us feel a pressing need to expand our social networks, though the path to doing so might not always be clear.
Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, a renowned clinical psychologist and friendship researcher, acknowledges that anxiety about making new friends is widespread. This anxiety often arises from misconceptions about how friendships naturally develop. Dr. Kirmayer advises actively seeking opportunities to connect with others who share our interests, emphasizing that regular interaction is crucial for fostering solid friendships.
While conventional advice often steers us toward joining popular yet niche activities, like mahjong or quilting clubs, to…
