You might wish to expand your current circle of friends or develop more meaningful relationships. However, finding friends can be difficult and it's not always easy to meet new people. Many people experience increasing feelings of disconnectedness despite so-called advances in communication through the Internet and social networking websites. You might long for genuine connection with others but you're not sure how to go about finding true friends.
Being Genuine
Being genuine means being yourself and accepting your limitations and flaws. You develop a sense of positive regard for yourself when you realize that you're not perfect but you know who you are at the core. You're happy with who you are and you radiate a sense of self-acceptance. You know what your interests and hobbies are, you know what kind of people excite you or challenge you and you know what you have to offer to others. We are naturally attracted to people who are confident, positive and self-accepting, according to Tom Stevens in his book "You Can Choose to Be Happy."
Developing Your Interests
People enjoy being around those who have a similar interest. Meeting new friends and making genuine connections is easier when you have something in common. Joining a social club or sports team or taking an adult education class at your local college or community center can help you to meet like-minded people. You're more likely to connect with people you find interesting when you're interested in what you're doing. Finding a meaningful hobby or learning a skill you find genuinely compelling is better than doing something just for the sake of meeting new people.
Reaching Out to Others
Making the effort once you've met someone you find interesting can be difficult. Many times, people are afraid of being rejected, so they don't try to reach out to others, according to the National Mental Health Information Center. However, in order to develop a new friendship, you may have to make the first move. Inviting others out for a cup of coffee or to do something fun together is one of the first steps towards developing a real connection.
Maintaining the Relationship
Once you've made the initial steps towards developing a friendship, you have to take measures to maintain the relationship. It takes time and effort to get to know someone, and that doesn't happen overnight. For example, keeping in contact through phone calls or weekly visits helps to facilitate the relationship. Eventually, you'll fall into a natural pattern with your new friends and it won't seem like you have to consciously make so much of an effort. In the beginning, however, you will need to keep in mind that the budding friendship will die if you don't keep nurturing it.
