Five Tips For Creating Friendships In Midlife

Five Tips For Creating Friendships In Midlife

Five Tips For Creating Friendships In Midlife

For many people, middle age is a trigger to take inventory of life. Your kids have flown the nest, and there's time to rethink your preferences, aversions, objectives, and ambitions.

According to our experts on counseling in Winter Park, middle-age is when you look around at your social circles. Are your friendships still working? Have you lost friends due to illness, a relocation, or divorce? Do you want something different out of your relationships? As you age, you tend to have less patience or energy for fluff friendships. Instead, you desire substance and authentic, genuine connections.

But making friends when you're aging is not always that straightforward. It was easy in school or during the early days of your first job – you saw the same people daily. You were enveloped by friend prospects. But once you reach middle age, it gets more challenging to meet new people.

Advice for Making Friends as an Adult

The great news is, while difficult, it's possible to make new and enduring friendships. Here are some tips to assist you in making new companions in midlife:

Don't Be Ashamed

There is no cause to feel ashamed about being lonesome or friendless. It is far more familiar than we are led to acknowledge by the media. So, don't feel inadequate, and prepare to put yourself out there.

Volunteer

Volunteering is an excellent way to meet new people that share your values. As a bonus, studies show that individuals who volunteer are healthier and live longer!

Take a Course

Do you have a fondness for dance? Art? Photography? Taking a course is a fantastic way to learn more about something you love, be engaged, keep your brain youthful, and meet individuals with similar interests and pursuits.

Contact Your Acquaintances

How often have you encountered someone you kind of know at a work function or your local Starbucks? Whenever you have a discussion with this individual, you think, "I wish we were friends."

The next time you see them, ask if they'd like to get lunch. Get their contact details and follow up. You never know, it could be the beginning of something valuable.

Make a Habit of Being Social

By midlife, we have some pretty substantial habits. Some good, some not as good. If you aren't a social butterfly – but instead someone used to staying home with the children or staying in because it's more comfortable – putting yourself out there will likely feel strange. However, it's essential to try to be social daily. This might mean walking around the city or neighborhood, saying hello to friendly faces, or calling a friend for a chat.

Friendship matters

At our heart, we all desire to be seen and understood. We want to feel a connection. Therefore, friendship matters. Good relationships are essential for our health and the quality of our lives. Nevertheless, it may seem rough to create new friendships in midlife. Tension, despair, and self-doubt frequently get in the way.

Use these tips to create friendships in midlife. And, if you need counseling in Winter Park, call us today.

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Heather Oller

Heather Oller is the owner and founder of Orlando Thrive Therapy, Coaching, and Counseling. She is a licensed counselor and a family mediator who has over 23 years of dedicated work as a professional in the mental health field. Through her company's mission, she continues to pave the way for future therapists, and their clients, who want a higher quality of life....and who want to thrive, rather than just survive. You can contact Orlando Thrive Therapy at (407) 592-8997 for more information.