How to meet new friends as an adult

At some point, many adults realize that making friends gets trickier as they get older. Between work, family, bills and stress, meeting new people can feel like an extra chore. On top of that, unlike in high school or even college—when you're surrounded by peers with relatively open schedules—post-college peers (like co-workers, neighbors, and old friends) often seem to have less and less time to hang out.

But making friends as an adult doesn’t have to be too complicated—it just takes a bit more effort and thought. Here are some tips to recognize those opportunities and meet new people when you're older:

You’re probably surrounded by everyday opportunities to connect with people, and you’re probably surrounded by men and women yearning for that connection. Take small opportunities to chat with the folks you pass by on a daily basis ( i.e. neighbors, commuters, co-workers, and gym members).

Start with a friendly smile and a simple “hello,” followed by an opener. That opener should be a brief verbal welcome mat that can lead to a longer conversation (i.e. a compliment, a question, an offer to help, a request for recommendations, a situational observation, etc.). Listen to their response and ask a follow up question to extend the interaction.

The key with these interactions is to be genuine, consistent, and open.

Think of some things you like to do—why do them alone? Look for clubs, classes, teams, or organizations in your area that cater to your hobbies. These shared activities are natural conversation starters. While some may cost money, others may be free, offered through community centers, libraries, or online forums that cater to locals.

Outside of family, work is usually a center point in most adults’ lives. Use your job as a chance to form deeper connections with the people you interact with every day. Get to know your co-workers on a personal level. Listen for information about their hobbies, family and non-work activities, and take a genuine interest. Pay a co-worker a compliment or ask them a question in the break room. Consider starting an after or before-work “extracurricular” club. Or organize a post-work hang.

Outside of work, look into alumni associations, conferences and networking events, in which professionals gather socially. 

All these ideas let you maintain your professional life while building your social one.

Volunteering is an excellent way to meet new people while also giving back to your community. It can feel good making the world a better place alongside like-minded friends. 

In today’s age, there is an app or website for everything, including making friends. Search for friendship apps and websites that not only help you meet people online, but help you connect in-person with people in your community.

Klatchmaker does just that. Klatchmaker is a website that matches you with a group of like-minded adults in your area. While many apps gamify the friend-making experience, forcing you to sift through profiles and swipe left and right, Klatchmaker takes care of the hunting and sorting, much like a platonic match maker. You simply share your interests and personality traits and let Klatchmaker handle the rest. Your group will be local, so you can meet them online and in person.