Make Friends As An Introvert: Simple Steps For Real Connection

Learn how to focus on quality versus quantity in this comprehensive guide. Introverts can be leaders and good ones too because they listen to people, focus on long-term goals, and are more receptive to suggestions. Some of the best leaders in the world were and are introverts. Think of Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, and Barack Obama. People are quick to think they know or understand introversion, and this is how misconceptions form.

For instance, a person who has trouble making eye contact because of anxiety in social situations might be given strategies to maintain eye contact by the therapist. Eye contact is the foundation for https://catherinepass.livepositively.com/honest-talkliv-review-can-talkliv-help-you-share-your-story/ most social interaction, and interventions will often start with improving the individual’s ability to maintain eye contact. Therapists who practice social skills training first focus on breaking down more complex social behaviors into smaller portions. Online, it’s just as important to have consistent contact with new friends.

• These can include hobby groups, clubs, or organizations centered around shared interests or activities.
• An introvert’s path to socializing often looks different from that of an extrovert, so it’s important to develop a social approach that respects your energy and personality.
• Guided by new CEO Spencer Rascoff, the platform is adding more layers to the experience to help users make new connections.
• Learn how to focus on quality versus quantity in this comprehensive guide.

A Force Of Nature: How Nyu Students Get Outside In The City

When I first moved, I noticed my tendency to only hang out with friends one-on-one and being bitter about not having any friend groups all in the same place anymore. It was scary for me to invite friends from different places to hang out together, but I realized how irrational that thought was. Chances are, your friends will be delighted to meet new people, and this is how you develop new friend groups. Everyone told me how lucky I’d been to move to the city, because there were many people from my school moving there.

In the following sections, we will explore strategies and techniques that can help introverts make friends and create fulfilling social connections. Below, you’ll hear from two people, one and introvert and the other an extravert, about how to make lasting friendships. But before we start, let’s define what we mean by introvert and extravert. Being an introvert isn’t a limitation and there is absolutely nothing “wrong” with choosing to have a small social circle. If you’re content with your friendships, there is no need to make changes. However, if you would like to make friends as an introvert, it’s important to be aware of the reasons for why you may struggle with making new friends as well as the strategies for how to overcome this.

Being an introvert doesn’t mean, though, that you can’t or don’t want to have friends. It can feel disheartening to accept that sometimes your efforts to socialize will go nowhere. Rejection never feels pleasant, and you might feel even more discouraged when interactions go nowhere after you really make an effort to engage. Some people might consider your life severely lacking in social connections — but they aren’t you.

Introverts make excellent friends – with other fellow introverts or extroverts (who take the time to understand us). Don’t dwell on your discomfort; focus on the other person during your conversation. Additionally, taking breaks and prioritizing self-care can help you recharge and maintain your composure in demanding, high-stress situations.

Armed with the right reasons for wanting a friendship with someone, you’re more likely to succeed because you’ll want to invest your time and energy, and not because you feel like you have to. When it comes to making a friend or two as an introvert, you’re going to have to roll up your mental sleeves and start connecting with real people who refill your calm and rejuvenate your spirit. One true friend can be more fulfilling than a room full of acquaintances. These meaningful friendships provide emotional support and allow you to be your authentic self without pretense.

Proven Methods How To Handle Jealousy In Friendships Today

Take it slow, protect your energy, and trust that meaningful connections will develop naturally when you stay consistent with these strategies. You might join (or even create) a forum for something you’re passionate about or connect with people over social media. Finding one good friend is often easier (and less draining) than building a crowd of superficial acquaintances you don’t have the time or energy to really get to know. Even as you weigh the pros and cons of expanding your social circle, you may feel unsure where to start.

As you probably know, introversion simply refers to the way you get your energy. This trait doesn’t make you shy or mean you dislike people — both common misconceptions about introversion. There may come a time, though, when you realize you’ve fallen somewhat out of touch with other people. Maybe you haven’t felt any loneliness yourself, but well-meaning family members keep suggesting you need a new friend or two.

Click here to check out the Introvert Conversation Genius course. I rack my brain for things to say, anything that might sound mildly interesting or enthusiastic, but I often come up short. I feel the awkward silences stretch for what feels like an eternity, and then I look for an escape. Or it might be my phone, which I’ll pick up and pretend to have an intense amount of interest in.

Among the great reasons for joining a social club, is the fact that they can provide excellent opportunities for introverts to make friends. That said, being an introvert doesn’t mean you can’t try out or learn any new things. When you feel ready, choose to do something slightly outside your usual routine, just at the edge of your comfort zone. This experience allows you to expand your social reach and potentially meet people whom you wouldn’t have otherwise. You don’t have to make friends the first time you start with your new activity; just breathe, have fun, and check things out.

Or, for university students, there’s «College Mode,» a revamp of the old «Tinder U» that compiles other students in one place. In a recent survey OkCupid conducted, 93 percent of singles reported being completely honest on their profiles, and 75 percent said they always discuss boundaries with a potential partner. It’s a platform where users are encouraged to be upfront about who they are and what they want, making for a more transparent dating experience. Hinge is also constantly evolving its features to help you connect better. If somebody goes to the effort of organizing something, I like to keep my word and show up.

This is not only draining for you and unfair to others, but will also cause you to waste time with people with whom you are not a good friendship match. This tendency to cultivate deeper relationships is not a personality “flaw”, however, it does top the list of contributing factors explaining why most introverts have fewer friends than most extroverts. So you’ve met these friends as an adult and they, like all friends do, get together every once in a while. (Yeah, I know, I know, but that’s what friends do.) I am here to tell you that it’s OK to decline plans with friends or to accept an offer only to repent at the last minute and cancel. Expect to hear coaxing from your friends, but if they understand you and get you, they will eventually let it go (until next time).

I’d rather experience some nervousness than feel regret for the rest of my life. You can also use your interests as conversation starters when meeting new people, making it easier to begin to form connections and make friends as an introvert. Unlike extroverts, your goal when making friends as an introvert is to find fewer, deeper friendships. Once you have conquered your anxiety over finding friends and have acquired a few, there is always the obstacle of how to keep them.

Managing Social Anxiety And Overthinking

As we grow up, the way we develop our relationships evolves and making new connections can feel like a challenge. It’s common to feel that making friends was so much easier when you had fewer responsibilities. But by understanding these challenges better we can start to find ways around them. Sometimes, it just takes one small gesture to start building a new friendship. I rarely take risks because I prefer to stay in my introverted comfort bubble — it feels safe and welcoming. The problem with this tendency is that I end up shutting myself away from the world and inadvertently pushing people away.

You probably spend quite a lot of time worrying about not being liked, and as such, we introverts tend to people-please, thinking this is how we make and keep friends. If you are into hiking, join a hiking club and make friends there. If you love art, find a local or virtual class and connect with like-minded people. Or perhaps you like mixology, so attend an event or class to create lasting bonds with your kind of people. Friendships don’t just happen, and there’s no Friendship Instruction Manual that shows you the exact steps to making great friends as an introvert. This guide does, however, show you the way, but you’ve got to put in the work.