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Make Friends Easily Even In Your 40s

As a young adult, the world is our oyster when it comes to making new friends. But, once we get older, making friends is not quite so simple. The older we get, the more challenging it becomes to make friends. At the age of 40 and beyond, it can be tough working around various schedules or trying to find a time that is good for everyone to meet up. Adults work around children's school and sports schedules. They also have their own work schedules and some adults in their later 40s take on caregiver roles for their parents. Consequently, managing the day-to-day family unit is tough enough, let alone trying to find time to squeeze in a much-needed social life. Then, when you do find the time to meet up it is often for a short period of time and not frequently. 
 
making friends over 40
In addition, according to researchers at Duke University and the University of Arizona, American adults reported having approximately one less friend in 2004 than the same demographic had just two decades earlier. And, worse yet, the results of a Gallup poll revealed that 16% of American adults have just one or two friends. While a shocking 2% admit to having none at all. But, if you notice your social circle getting smaller at present, it doesn't mean that friendlessness is in your future. 

1. Join a trivia team

If you're looking for an easy way to make new friends try joining a trivia team at your favorite bar. This is a great idea because the groups are made up of people who are laughing and having fun. Furthermore, trivia teams are often scheduled in advance and on a specific day of the week. This will help you plan better when social gatherings are held on a consistent day. Just be sure that you can commit. When you join a team of any kind, they depend on you, so be sure to take this on only if you can truly commit. 

2. Reach out to friends you’ve lost touch with
making friends over 40
If you have lost contact with many of your friends over the years, it stands to reason that former friends have had the same, or similar experiences. On top of trying to build new friendships from scratch, do your best to reconnect with members of your social circle with whom you've fallen out of touch and with people you were once close with. You can more or less pick up where you left off. 

3. Join local groups on social media

65% of American adults use social media, with older adults nearly tripling their numbers on social media in the last decade. Therefore, with so many people turning to social media it has become easier to make friends with just the click of a button. One of the easiest ways to do so is by joining local Facebook groups. This will give you the opportunity to not only get to know people in your immediate area, but it will give you a good idea of what kind of fun stuff is happening nearby.

4. Strike up a conversation in a fitness class
making friends over 40

If your preference is cycling, cardio, hip-hop dance or yoga, a fitness class is a great place to meet new people. All you need to do is strike up a conversation with a fellow participant. Bonus! You already know you share at least one interest with them. 

5. Make friends with people who you see in non-social contexts

Contrary to what you may think, you can befriend your barber or hang out with your kid's teachers. In fact, there is no good reason that you can't ask people you know from their workplaces to meet up socially too. Think about how much your manicurist or personal trainer probably already knows about you, you've got a great place to start from.

6. Reach out to friends of friends
making friends over 40

The friends you currently do have are a great resource when it comes to making new ones. If you are looking for some new people to hang out with, don't be shy. Ask your friends to set you up on friend dates with people you have met through them. 

7. Show up at local events

Your local community is a great resource for making new friends. All that is required is that you show up to enough regional fairs, concerts and other local gatherings. With that, you are bound to see some of the same faces, making it easy to connect. 

8. Hit up a bar solo
making friends over 40

Going to a bar need not be a joint mission. If you want to meet new people try heading to your local bar solo. You may have to endure some awkward pick-up lines or offers, but you'll likely meet some other solo fliers. At the very worst you'll get a free drink or two out of it. 

9. Attend your local city council meetings

Getting politically active on a local level is an easy way to meet people who share the same values that you do. Attending local city council meetings will help you get in touch with a community of people who care about the same issues. 

10. Sign up for a crafting group
making friends over 40
A little knitting is good for the soul and will help boost your social circle too. Find a local crafting group, of which there are thousands on Facebook and sites like Meetup. You will instantly have a new group of people who share your interests to spend time with. 
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