Get Out There! Easy Ways to Make Friends at 55+
Building new friendships later in life may sound daunting, but it's far from impossible! With fewer daily responsibilities, now is a great time to connect with new people, nurture existing friendships, and enjoy the companionship that can make this stage of life more fulfilling. Here's a practical guide to making friends and finding the social support that can enrich your life in countless ways.
Make Friendship a Priority
Just like health or personal goals, friendships flourish when you put in the effort. Recognize that friendship brings genuine health benefits — both physically and emotionally. As reported by Psychology Today, a strong social network can reduce the risk of early death by 45%, and friendships help prevent mental health issues, from depression to anxiety. If you decide friendship is important, you're much more likely to make room for it.
Try Something New: Hobbies and Activities
Shared interests can fast-track friendships. Hobbies offer a fantastic way to meet people with similar passions and provide natural conversation starters. If you've always wanted to try swimming, consider joining a local swim group or taking up outdoor activities like hiking or a book club. For an added bonus, shared physical activities like walking groups or dancing can benefit both body and mind.
Connect Digitally
Even if online connections seem out of reach, the digital world can open doors to vibrant friendships. Online communities designed for those over 50 allow you to connect from the comfort of your home. Platforms such as Silversurfers® offer groups and forums focused on various interests, from crafts to current events, making it easy to chat and bond virtually before taking any interactions offline.
Strengthen Ties With Neighbors
Proximity is a powerful friendship booster. Your neighborhood may hold a treasure trove of friendly faces you've never engaged with! Start with small gestures: a friendly greeting or joining neighborhood events can spark new friendships. Even simple gestures — like helping with small errands or volunteering at community gatherings — can make you a friendly, familiar face that others will want to get to know better.
Rekindle Old Friendships
Life's transitions — retirement, moving, or health changes — often lead to losing touch with friends. Reaching out to old friends can be incredibly rewarding, as shared memories provide a natural bridge to reconnect. Send a friendly note or arrange a quick coffee meet-up to rekindle a relationship that once brought you joy. Social media or email can make that first step easy and casual, giving you a chance to reconnect without pressure.
Attend Regularly Scheduled Group Events
One of the best ways to build friendships is through regular, recurring events. Look for clubs, hobby groups, or community classes that meet weekly or monthly. Familiar faces become friends over time when you share the same spaces, hobbies, or goals. This regularity fosters deeper connections, a concept known as the "mere exposure effect," according to Psychology Today, which shows that people who see each other more often tend to bond faster.
Be Bold
Though it may feel intimidating, sometimes being bold is all it takes to build new friendships. If you're meeting new people at a group event or even through acquaintances, don't hesitate to suggest activities that would allow you to spend time together, like a coffee outing or a local class. Many people feel shy or unsure about initiating but taking the first step to invite someone for coffee or a walk can go a long way in establishing a new friendship.
Final Thoughts
Making friends after 55 is easier than it sounds — it just takes openness, effort, and a willingness to try new things. Building new connections not only strengthens your emotional and mental health but also brings laughter, joy, and a fresh outlook on life. The rewards of friendship are boundless, so go ahead and reach out. Embrace this journey of making friends and discovering new connections to enrich your golden years.
References: How to make friends in your 50s: Five expert-backed tips to make new connections in midlife | 12 Ways to Make Friends in Mid-Life and Beyond
