Moving to a new city means leaving your previous life and everyone you know behind.
It sounds daunting, even frightening, to have to meet all new people, but it can be exhilarating. When you open yourself up and put yourself out there, meeting new people and forming relationships can be a breeze.
Meeting People at Work: You spend the most time with your co-workers and they are usually the first new faces you see. Try to schedule meetups after work to help form a friendship outside of the office. Long stressful day? Suggest going to get drinks and appetizers after work. Also, you won’t have to worry about easily losing contact with these new friends, since you will see them on a regular basis at work.
Joining a Volunteer/Religious Organization: These places promise a welcoming, open atmosphere that makes it easy to connect and converse with others. Use it as an opportunity to better the community, gain new friendships and grow personally.
Use Friendship/Meetup Apps: Technology has integrated itself in our everyday lives, and fortunately has made it easier for us to connect. Whether it’s apps for social media or downloaded apps such as Meetup, it’s possible to meet people with similar interests you wouldn’t normally run into. Plus, it’s easy to find events that fit into your schedule. Since this isn’t as secure of a way to meet new people, be sure to exercise caution.
Getting Out There by Yourself: Sometimes meeting new people means going out alone. Don’t be afraid to venture out and get a bite to eat or catch a movie by yourself. Chances are, others will gravitate toward you and try to befriend you. If it feels right, let it happen. When you open yourself up, you’ll be surprised how welcoming other people can be.
Part of becoming an adult means moving on and going away from what and who we know. Use it as an opportunity to add something new to your life. Who knows, you may form relationships that will last a lifetime; you just have to put yourself out there.
Feature Photo via We Heart It