Friendships are the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. They provide the support system that makes life not only bearable but enjoyable. Friends offer us a sense of meaning and purpose, contributing significantly to our security, self-esteem, and happiness. Research shows that the level of connection we feel with others is a strong predictor of our happiness, while a lack of social ties is linked to various health issues and a shorter lifespan.
Despite the importance of friendships, many people find themselves scrolling through their phones, unsure of who to reach out to for companionship or support. This sense of loneliness is not uncommon and is, in fact, widespread. Surprisingly, young people, whose social lives were severely disrupted by the global pandemic, report the highest levels of loneliness. Social distancing measures prevented teens and young adults from interacting in traditional settings like classrooms and clubs, leading to missed opportunities for forming lifelong friendships.
The good news is that it’s never too late to make new friends. While the process may seem daunting, it is quite straightforward. The key to forming friendships lies in spending casual time together. Historically, humans formed relationships within small, close-knit communities where options were limited, leading to natural bonds with those around them. This is why friendships often form easily in school or university settings, where shared activities and schedules create overlapping social circles.
One of the main reasons people lack friendships is that they do not prioritize them enough. Friendships often take a backseat to other life commitments such as work, commuting, romance, or family responsibilities. As adults, the effort required to engage in social activities can seem overwhelming compared to the ease of socializing during school years. Additionally, the rise of social media has led to teenagers spending more time online than engaging in face-to-face interactions.
Studies suggest that new friendships can develop quickly, but it takes time and quality interactions to deepen these relationships. To make friends, it helps to seek out people with shared interests and who are open to new connections. Consider your personality type—extroverts may enjoy lively environments, while introverts might prefer quieter settings. Look for local clubs, volunteer opportunities, or hobby groups that align with your interests.
Don’t overlook the potential to rekindle old friendships. Often, a simple call or invitation is enough to reconnect. Research indicates that people generally appreciate when someone reaches out, and there may be more opportunities to spend time with others than you realize.
Once you’ve established initial connections, it’s important to nurture them. Check in with friends during significant life events and engage in meaningful conversations. Friendships require time and patience, so be kind to yourself as you navigate this journey.
Two key principles in forming friendships are caring and sharing. Show genuine interest in others and be open to sharing your own experiences. This reciprocity fosters deeper connections and signals to others that it’s safe to open up as well.
Ultimately, friendships are about enjoying life and being open to new social opportunities. Prioritize friendships, engage with others, and allow them to get to know you. Remember, the human brain is wired for connection, and there are countless people who would welcome a closer relationship with you. So, take the leap and start building those meaningful connections today.
We want to support your friendship journey, so we’ve created items you can share with new and old friends. Whether it’s a pin to connect you with your best friend or a unique puzzle piece for your friend group, these items are a great way to show you care. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Imagine you are meeting someone new for the first time. Pair up with a classmate and take turns role-playing different scenarios where you introduce yourself and start a conversation. Focus on finding common interests and asking open-ended questions. This will help you practice initiating and maintaining conversations with potential friends.
Create a friendship journal where you document your interactions with friends. Write about what you did together, how it made you feel, and any new things you learned about your friends. Reflecting on these experiences will help you appreciate your friendships and recognize the importance of nurturing them.
Join a group discussion where each student shares a story about a meaningful friendship experience. Discuss what makes a friendship strong and how to overcome challenges in friendships. This activity will help you learn from others’ experiences and gain insights into building and maintaining friendships.
Create a poster that outlines your goals for making and maintaining friendships. Include specific actions you can take, such as joining a club or reaching out to an old friend. Display your poster in a place where you can see it regularly to remind yourself of the importance of friendships and the steps you can take to strengthen them.
Organize a Friendship Appreciation Day in your class where everyone writes a note of appreciation to a friend. Share these notes with each other and discuss how it feels to give and receive appreciation. This activity will help you understand the value of expressing gratitude and how it can strengthen friendships.
Friendships – Relationships between people who like and trust each other. – Sarah valued her friendships because her friends always made her feel included and happy.
Loneliness – A feeling of sadness because one has no friends or company. – Even in a crowded room, Jake sometimes felt loneliness because he missed his old friends.
Support – Help or encouragement given to someone in need. – When Emma was nervous about her presentation, her classmates offered her support by practicing with her.
Happiness – A state of well-being and contentment. – Playing with her dog brought Mia a lot of happiness after a long day at school.
Connections – Relationships or links between people or things. – Building connections with her neighbors helped Lily feel more at home in her new community.
Social – Relating to activities in which people spend time talking to each other or doing enjoyable things together. – The school organized a social event to help new students make friends.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – The community came together to clean up the local park and plant new trees.
Interactions – Communications or direct involvement with someone or something. – Positive interactions with her classmates made school more enjoyable for Lucy.
Caring – Displaying kindness and concern for others. – The caring teacher always took time to listen to her students’ problems.
Sharing – Using or enjoying something jointly with others. – Sharing her art supplies with her friend made the project more fun for both of them.
