How to Meet New People as an Adult
As we slowly come out of a global pandemic and in an age when many of our social interactions have been relegated to our phones, meeting new people can seem like a daunting task. So we at Blink Date have compiled a list of easy ways to make new connections. Whether you’re looking for new friends, a relationship, or even a community, you’re sure to find your place by using our tips on how to meet new people in 2023.
Join meetups
Use social media
Tap into your friends’ networks
Volunteer in your community
Join meetups
There are meetups happening every single day, some just to hang out, some around a particular hobby, some to help share information… there’s truly a wealth of opportunities to connect with new people through meetups. A great place to start is meetup.com, a website where you can find groups close to you based on your interests. It’s a perfect option if you moved to a new city or want to explore a new hobby or activity. From weekly yoga groups to monthly book clubs, Meetup offers many options to bond with those living close to you. You try as many groups as you want and you can use them as an opportunity to bond with people about common interests.
Use social media
While searching for in-person groups can be fruitful, depending on where you live, finding people with the same interests as you can be hard. Fortunately, one of the benefits of living in a digital time is that anyone can find their crew, regardless of how niche their interests are. Sure, you might not meet your peers in person right away and it might take you a while to find your happy corner of the internet, but social media is an amazing tool for making new connections at your own pace. You also have the opportunity to meet people from any country, discover new cultures, and share your passion. And the best part: there isn’t a single way to do it. Whether your favorite social media platform is Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Discord, or something else, the likelihood of you finding a community for your favorite board game or for your baking hobby is high. And you never know – the people you interact with online may become your real life friends!
Tap into your friends’ networks
Has a friend ever told you that they know someone who’s just like you or that they want you to meet? Who knows better the types of people you like connecting with than the people already in your social circle? One easy and fun way to meet new people and create meaningful connections is to hit up your existing and use their networks to expand your own. Ask them to introduce you to friends and acquaintances that they think you might like. Speaking from experience – my closest friends have introduced me to a lot of amazing people at birthday parties and clubs, and some of these people became close friends as well. Even if you don’t have the same hobbies, you have at least one thing in common: the rapport with your common friend. And sometimes having a third party facilitate a new connection is the perfect antidote to awkwardness or the fear of small talk.
Volunteer in your community
If you want to meet up with people who share the same values and outlook in life as you, volunteering in your city or local community can be a perfect solution. The benefit is two-fold: you do a good deed and help a cause dear to your heart and you get to meet people who are just as dedicated to making the world a better place as you are. Looking for volunteer opportunities but not sure where to start? Whether your cause is sustainability, social justice, or helping the homeless, platforms like Guaranteed Karma offer you the opportunity to find volunteer opportunities on a regular basis, make new friends, and make the world a better place.
