Winter can be a hard season for many and a lonely time for those living alone. Much of the season is often spent indoors, where things can get boring pretty quickly. That’s why this month, our bucket list topic is all about making new friends and expanding your inner circle! This is timely since National Make a Friend Day is on February 11, 2023. We think meeting new friends can be just as hard as maintaining friendships. New friends can provide new perspectives, new opportunities, and deeper connections. We’ve compiled a list of tips for making new friends and creating meaningful connections.

• Join Amintro and connect with other older adults 50+! Not to toot our own horn, but Amintro is an incredible place to connect with fellow older adults who are looking for some new friends. We bring people together online because if we’re being honest, making friends is hard. So we try to make it as easy as possible for you. Our motto is “make friends, live life” and that’s exactly what we help you do. It’s free and simple to connect with like-minded individuals in your community. Just tell us a little about yourself, explore the community, and start connecting today.

• Make plans to meet up for coffee to spend time together! It doesn’t just have to be coffee, it could also be tea! We’re just kidding about the drink choices but we do believe strongly in spending quality time with others. As humans, we’re not solitary creatures and thus need to be around others for our mental wellbeing. Making plans with a friend gives you that social interaction, an opportunity to get out of your house, and the possibility of trying something new. Be sure to plan something that’s fun and engaging, something the both of you can look forward to doing. Some of our ideas include a coffee date of course, playing a sport, going shopping, or heading to the park for some fresh air. And who knows, you may just make some other new friends along the way!

• If you cannot connect in person, schedule a call! While it’s great to get out of the house and see friends in person, it’s not always possible. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that you can always connect with someone with the right tools like a computer or a phone. You can have a voice call or a video call to catch up and chat with as many friends as you’d like at a time. You could even set up a film to watch together or play some games. The possibilities for what you do on the call are truly endless and we think it’s the next best thing to being together in person. Calls can also be a great way to connect with friends who may live far away. Physical distance doesn’t mean the relationship needs to fade. Stay connected!

• Prioritize time spent with friends! Sometimes, life can get in the way and we forget about the important connections we have with our friends. Friendship is one of the most important relationships someone will have in their lifetime. Quality time is important at all stages of a friendship but especially so at the beginning, when you’re starting to create those deep connections. Time spent talking and doing things together will create unbreakable bonds between new friends. At the other end, lifelong friends shouldn’t be neglected either. Healthy communication is needed to maintain those feelings of love. By prioritizing quality time with friends, you’ll see a lot of benefits both physically and mentally. Being social will get you out of the house and feeling good!

Making new friends is a great way to connect with others and try new things. There is no time like the present so what are you waiting for? Check out Amintro, head to your local coffee shop, and start making new friends right now!