Making Friends as an Adult

My Real-Life Approach

It is possible to have meaningful friendships. Friendships that grow, support you, and last.

It can be difficult to make friends as an adult. But it is possible.

I have found that there are two sure ways to make friends. I know this because this is how I made friends over 30.

I am a person who needs friends. For me, friendship is a way to live through others. When someone I care about travels and shows me pictures, or brings me a little gift from their trip, I feel connected to that place. It is like I have been there, too.

Friendship supports my dreams. My friends encourage me, and I encourage them. We pursue our goals side by side. Friendship is also how I practice listening and communicating. I learn how to share with people who have different perspectives and communication styles which I carry those lessons into the marketplace.

Friendship gives me a second opinion when I need it. Sometimes it is not a big deal, but I still want someone to affirm what I am thinking. There are so many reasons why having friends matters which is why I want you to have friendships that grow you, support you, and last for years.

Two Ways I Make Friends as an Adult

 Join Networking or Business Groups

1. You can join a business group whether you are an entrepreneur or an employee. Everyone should be connected to like-minded individuals. The goal is not to sell your product or service but to learn about others. Ask why they started their business or what drew them to their job. Ask about their vision, their family, their passions. Set up one-on-one time to go deeper.
2. Business groups are a great way to meet people who may eventually become friends. As you continue to see them, your conversations naturally grow. You begin to look forward to catching up. Ask for catch up over dinner or lunch, outside of business. This often become the space where real friendship begins.

One group that is dear to my heart was the first true networking group my husband and I joined when we started our business. It was not just about being better entrepreneurs. It was about connecting outside of the room. We started regularly exchanging numbers, offering help, and showing up for people.

Serve

1. Another powerful way to meet people is by serving. And I mean actively helping whether that is greeting someone, joining a local outreach, or volunteering with a city group.
2. Serving gives you the opportunity to give yourself to a cause greater than you. There is no financial reward—but the relational reward is priceless. You meet people who share your mission and heart.
3. To serve and meet people, you must be intentional. If there is no space to connect after serving, suggest grabbing a meal. Share what excites you about the mission. Get to know each other. Create a small group that meets regularly to deepen your bond and serve even better together.

I have made hundreds of connections through serving. Out of those, I consistently do life with about 15 of them. We have shared meals, traveled together, worked on projects—and they have blessed my life, my marriage, and my future.

But I will warn you—do not serve without building connection. That leads to burnout and resentment. It is hard to give consistently when no one truly knows you. You may feel taken for granted or emotionally drained. If that sounds familiar, take the first step. Invite someone to connect outside of the work. Chances are, they are waiting for that same invitation.

Friendship helps resolve the feeling of not belonging. It protects us from burnout. When you do life with others who share your mission, the time and effort feel worth it.

I am passionate about building friendship. And I understand the quiet, heavy loneliness that technology and choice overload can create. You are not alone. It is time to connect. Make the choice today to do something different and connect meaningfully with others.