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For any introvert, the thought of going out and making new friends can feel exhausting. Outgoing and talkative extroverts make it look easy, naturally intermingling with strangers on a night out. Introverts, on the other hand, may dread the idea of joining co-workers for a happy hour or going to a party where you only know one or two people. Sitting at home enjoying that new book or marathoning a Netflix series sounds much more appealing. For those introverts who have trouble meeting people, try out a few of these tips to overcome shyness and make new, genuine friendships.
1. Get to Know Your Acquaintances Better
Making new friends doesn’t have to mean walking into a crowded room full of strangers. Do you have people in your life that you’ve met already that you’d like to get to know better? You're already halfway to a proper friendship, so make an effort to reach out them. Who knows? They could become a close friend before you know it.
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2. Network Through People You Already Know
If you have friends in the area that you already know, chances are, their friends will share some common interests with you. Plus, it gives you a natural way of meeting someone new through mutual friends. Look for opportunities to go out with friends and meet the people they know. You can even host a small party or dinner event and let friends bring a few others along that you don’t know. This could give a great way of expanding your network.
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3. Traveling Alone? Take a Group Tour
Introverts might love the idea of going somewhere alone by themselves. Still, loving solitude doesn’t mean you don’t always want to be alone. By signing up for a group tour, you can easily meet other travelers. Spending the day together gives ample opportunity to strike up a conversation even if you feel shy. Some travel groups even specialize in bringing together solo travelers.
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4. Use Social Media to Connect
You may know people where you live and not even realize it. Under the 'friends' section on Facebook, you can easily find out if you know anyone in the area. Look up where connections live according to your city. Perhaps you already know someone nearby that you can get to know better. If you plan to move somewhere or visit a new place, check to see who you already know there. Send them a message or invite them to an event nearby. You can naturally build connections this way.
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5. Quality Over Quantity
As an introvert, spending too much time with others can feel draining. When you do feel like socializing, make sure to do it with people you genuinely like. That means focusing on quality rather than quantity when it comes to relationships. Choose to spend time and attention on people who understand and support you.
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6. Be Yourself
Making quality friends doesn’t mean forcing yourself to act like someone else. Ultimately, you want to build friendships with people you genuinely relate to. Many real friendships start out by bonding on common interests. When trying to meet someone new, be yourself and talk about your passions so you can create true connections with others who share those interests.
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