When you relocate to a new area or leave a relationship, you might find yourself in the position of being pretty much alone. Finding new friends can be a challenge. You might have to leave your comfort zone, but it'll pay off in the long run. There are a number of common places to meet new people. The more activities you engage in, the greater the likelihood of making new friends.
School And Work
School and work are excellent places to make friends. It's easiest to make new friends when you spend most of the day together. Joining a few study groups at school will help you become a member of a close knit group. Chatting to people at work will often help you find at least one person with whom you click. Some people may not be open to a new friendship at this point--but don't be discouraged. People are always looking to make new friends. Some are in a transition phase, some just like meeting new people.
Group Activities
Groups that revolve around topics that interest you are another avenue to meet new people. Groups often welcome drop-ins and newcomers because they like to keep their membership fresh and not stagnate. Hiking, volunteering, crafts and sports are just some of the examples of activities that can be done in groups. When learning a new skill, such as carpentry or gardening, you'll meet new people as an added benefit.
Unless your first meet is a complete disaster, try to stick with it a few times. Let the people grow on you. Your discomfort will probably subside and when you'll relax you might have a good time with the group.
Internet
Joining online forums about topics that interest you will expand your options for meeting people beyond anything that was possible just a few years ago. If you participate in a forum long enough, you'll grow to know the people well, and make friends with some. If the forum is large enough, you might end up making new friends in your area.
Some social networking sites are geared specifically toward arranging meetings in real life. These meetings can be focused on a topic that interests you, such as activism. They can be purely social in nature. You're not the only one who's new in town or who's looking for new friends. There are always people to meet--and cyberspace is another tool to meet people in real life.
References
- College and Research Library News: Moving For Your Career? Advice on Adjusting; Jennifer E. Nutefall
- Indiana University: "Journal of Computer Mediated Communication"; The Benefits of Facebook "Friends:" Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites; Nicole Ellison et al.; 2007
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