Every day, a lot of people move house. With a newfound appreciation for space and air, it may suddenly have seemed as if a new kind of life was possible. Here's some expert advice on how to build a new community.
Ask people you already know if they could introduce you to anyone in the location to which you are moving. Posting on social media is probably the easiest way to tap your friends' friends. It increases the chance that there's someone you will get along with.
Don't expect friends to magically appear
People really need to take the initiative to go out there and meet people and not assume that friends are just going to fall into their lives. As people become familiar to us, we like them more, and it's completely unconscious.
Be open to a broader range of people
You have spent a lifetime narrowing your social circle to those you really care about, but chances are you're not going to meet new best friends in your new area instantly. When it comes to friendships, having close friends is one of the best things we can do for our health and wellbeing. But even having brief interactions with people in general benefits us.
Don't despair
Remember to maintain pre-existing friendships, so that you're not feeling lonely and disconnected while developing new relationships.But people don't realize that if they put themselves out there, the process can go faster than they think. It really makes a difference if you're willing to attend different events; you can really change your social life.
| A. Make a public appeal. B. Put some work in before you move. C. Quality is best, but quantity still does something. D. It can take a long time to build up new friendships. E. But now the pandemic has made it harder to connect with strangers. F. It doesn't necessarily mean you made the wrong decision in moving. G. We tend to think friendships happen naturally and that's a huge misconception. |
