Friendship is perhaps the most valuable relationship one can build in life. It is an unconditional bond of trust and understanding that transcends time and space. For children, it is a natural process, while for adults, making new friends requires effort, patience, and an open heart. Nevertheless, this effort is worth it because adult friendship can be a powerful source of emotional and psychological support. It can provide a sense of belonging and meaning to life.
Eminent relationship and marriage counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares a few tips and tricks for making new friends as an adult.
1. Avoid negative perceptions:
It can be difficult to make new friends as an adult, especially if you have had negative experiences in the past. To make the process easier, try to focus on the positive aspects of your potential new friends and avoid any preconceived notions. This will help you to build meaningful relationships with new people and create a more welcoming atmosphere. For instance, instead of thinking of someone as ‘rude’ or ‘standoffish’, try to focus on their strengths and see them as ‘reserved’ or ‘thoughtful’.
2. Confidence is the key:
Knowing that you can make friends and that you are worthy of friendship can help make it easier to put yourself out there and take risks. Being confident will also help you stay positive and open to new experiences, which can help you make new friends.
3. Find people who share your passion:
Joining a club or group that is focused on activities or hobbies that you enjoy can be a great way to meet new people. Being a part of a group gives you a chance to bond with people who share your interests, which can make it easier to form meaningful friendships. Why not start by looking for a local club or group related to your interests? You never know who you might meet who will share your same passions and become a great friend!
4. Try online groups:
If you are not willing to leave your comfort zone or don’t have time to join an in-person group, consider joining an online community. This can be a great way to meet like-minded people and learn from each other in a comfortable, non-judgmental environment. They provide an opportunity to connect with people from all over the world and have conversations that you would not have in real life.
5. Be a good listener:
Being a good listener shows that you are interested in what the other person has to say and that you are willing to understand their point of view. It also helps to create an atmosphere of trust and respect, which makes it easier to make friends.
6. Embrace authenticity:
Be yourself. By being your true self and not wearing a persona, you will be more relatable. People will build a genuine connection with you. A person appreciates you for who you are, not for what you pretend to be.
7. Accept others:
It means respecting others’ opinions and ideas, and not judging them for their choices. It also means being open to trying new things and being willing to learn from different points of view. When you accept others, it makes it easier to build relationships and form new friendships.
If you need help related to your relationship, you may reach out to Shivani Misri Sadhoo, for advice and resources to have a transformation in your life.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
