You’re Never Too Old for Making New Friends

Making new friends can be hard, but people are happiest when connected to others and live longer, healthier and richer lives because of it.

You have spent a lifetime making and enjoying friendships. Think of the conversations, celebrations and the laughter created just from being together. And recall the consolation that friends have provided in times of sorrow.

Perhaps you don’t make new friends as easily as when you were younger, and you even find staying in contact with lifetime friends more difficult.

There are ways to get back into the warm circle of new and old friends.

Maintaining and Gaining Friendships

COVID-19 has not only been devastating physically and emotionally, it has made it harder for people, particularly seniors, to maintain contact with friends. As the pandemic eases, you still need to find ways to stay in contact with friends, even as mobility and health issues may make staying connected more challenging.

FaceTime or Zoom. These apps support video and audio calling. You can talk with single individuals or a group. This means while talking to existing friends, you and they can bring other friends into the conversation.

Note: FaceTime is available only to users of Apple (iOS) products.

Zoom is the most commonly used conferencing tool today. You can use it to make unlimited phone calls or participate in video conference meetings with a group. Android and iOS are both supported operating systems in Zoom.

Of course, there is nothing quite like being with someone face-to face. Whether you are getting together with a long-time friend or pursuing new ones, here are some tactics that can help:

Take part in a reunion. Reunions can revive old friendships and provide an opportunity to make new friends.

Join a support group. There may be various civic associations that host support groups. There are groups for grief and loss, health concerns, or challenges with depression, among others. You will find emotional support among others who share some of your challenges, and the natural connection that is made can become a lasting friendship.

Volunteer at your favorite charity or community organization. Sharing and working with people for a worthy cause is a great way to bond with others.

Join a book club. If you don’t find one that matches your reading interests, start a club of your own. Conversation is made easier by having a common topic of discussion.

Take a class. Community colleges are known for providing flexible class schedules for adults of all ages. And a growing number of course offerings are being offered with seniors in mind. This is a double opportunity for you to increase your knowledge and share alike interests with classmates.

Visit a senior living community. If you are a resident in a senior living community, you probably have a community activity calendar that is designed to keep you engaged with other people. If you are not a resident, you may still be able to join in some of the community’s activities. Contact one near you and find out!

Take an exercise class. Nothing bonds people like working toward a common goal. There are dance classes, walking clubs, water aerobic sessions, and other activities you can enjoy with others.

Play a sport. There are many team and individual sports competitions in which you can take part and meet others at the same time. Golf, croquet, lawn bowling, volleyball, softball, race walking, table tennis, pickleball and archery are just a few of the options that might be available near you.

Go on a trip. There are a host of tour groups available for seniors. Take a journey with an existing friend and meet new ones on the trip. The joy of new experiences is an automatic conversation starter for just about everyone.

Attend religious services. Practicing your faith by attending these services places you in contact with likeminded people.

Put Yourself Out There

Making new friends and rediscovering lifetime friendships may not be easy at first. If you have been living alone for a while, it could feel awkward to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know.

Chances are you are looking for people who share an interest or activity with you, and share similar beliefs. Be open, however, to interacting with people who will engage you with ideas and opinions that differ from your own. Having a variety of friends will make your life that much richer.

The longer you remain isolated, the more difficult it becomes to get yourself out of your isolation. Take a chance. Start a conversation. Reaching out doesn’t lead to making new friends every time, but you won’t make any new friends without putting in effort.

There are people out there who would love to connect with you and be your friend. Make contact.

C.S. Lewis once said:

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’ ”

For more tips on the benefits of socialization, please visit Bethesda’s Health & Wellness blog.