What is the best way to meet new people?
We moved from country to country as modern nomads. For me the best way to meet new people and make friends is to volunteer at something I am passionate about. Sharing a passion creates a bond. When we moved to the Pacific NorthWest I wanted to volunteer at Fences for Fido. This is a group of people that build fences for dogs who live in a chain outside and who's owners don't have the financials to build a fence so the dog can run free. The group does not place a judgement on people as to why the dog is chained, they just want to provide a better option. But alas I became totally disabled so no building fences for me. Still I support them in other ways that I canVolunteering has given me some wonderful friends in many countries. If that isn't for you but you might be into or want to take up photography, look for classes. Join city walks where people gather and walk through the city shooting pics. There are many opportunities to take on a new hobby and join a class or a meeting. As for seeing the world, meet new people, I just sponsored a friend who wanted to travel backpacking for a year and hoped to make some money while writing travel adventures in his website. I sponsored his domain and website so he could be off to a reliable start.His way if traveling was very low budget but he met some great people and got invited to many other countries by people he met along the way.He use a hitchhikers service that matches up car or truck drivers with people who need a ride and he used Airbnb. Airbnb has given him the most fantastic contacts. He met some Australians in Spain and got invitations to Australia and is now on his way to visit them. To make some money he works as bartender in Spain's tourist area, also not a bad place to be. Before he went on this adventure he worked in IT and told me about his dream to travel. I encouraged him to do so. He jumped in with two feet and had the most awesome year ever. I noticed when we were traveling that even though I am an introvert when I'm traveling a whole new me appears :-) I'm just absorbing new cultures and new people like a sponge. I do miss it now we're more stationary.
How do meet people and make friends?
Everybody goes through this phase at least once in their life and sometimes time and again. Here are a few things that might helpJoin a class/gym - You will be among people who have similar interests as you. You will have some common topics to discuss about. Smile - Smile at people who you know even if just by name or face.Start by saying Hi. Ask people about their life. Its a conversation starter.join a meetup group. There are lots of them, pick according to your interest.Look for a good counselor. Someone who will help you navigate through your issues. Trust me it helps.Listen to some upbeat music. It will always help you in cheering yourself upWatch some comedy shows/movies or stand up comedy. It will help.Get some physical exercise. Very important.Get close to your family. If someone can support you unconditionally it is your familytake half a day to yourself, calm down, sit alone with a pen and paper and figure out what you want to do with your life. Your goals, interests, ambitions, career path etc.
How do I get out of the house and meet people when I’m a reserved individual?
Engage in things that interest you. By doing things that make you excited you will be more engaging to other people. Who doesn’t want to meet and speak with someone that is having a great time and is passionate about an activity?Locally, where I live there is a platform called Meet Up. You just punch in your interests and your inbox is flooded with invitations. Facebook Events, Eventbrite, local community groups, there is frankly too much to do every day. Depending on where you live, there are opportunities everywhere.I am a recovering shy person, so shy in high school, in fact, I still stuttered and therefore tried not to speak very much. I have pushed myself every single week of my life to get out there more than I am comfortable with. It’s a muscle and the more you use it the stronger you become. The more you speak up in a group the more comfortable you will be the next time.If you want it, you will challenge yourself to go mingle regardless if you feel like it or not. A tip I learned is to wear something when networking that is different and something someone can remark on. People that are more adept at meeting people will look for an excuse to strike up a conversation. When they do, ask them open-ended questions about themselves and talk about yourself only as a default. People love to talk about themselves and always appreciate a good listener!
Is it common to become a loner after college?
Ever since graduating from college a year and a half ago, I have rarely found myself going out places, and when I do, its usually alone. This wasnt really the case in college. I still have a few friends but I rarely see them since we all live in different ends of the the metro area. I probably hang out one of them about once every month or two, and I talk on the phone to two of them a few times a week. It doesnt really bother me I have to go places alone: I just feel like I'm become a loner. Is it common for people to be like this after school is out forever?
My mom needs to get laid?
Like the first answerer said, Church is a great place. But sometimes Church people can be a bit reserved so I would suggest to her to join charities, organizations, book clubs, or other such places. She can meet men who have the same interests as her and men who are on the same page as her. Maybe have her volunteer at certain events in your city/town. It will give her a sense of accomplishment and she'll get the chance to get to know the men she's working/volunteering with before she has to go on dates and will give her more confidence. Good luck and thanks for being so caring of your mom! You sound like a great child.
Is it better to withdraw from people if you are socially awkward or should you motivate yourself to meet people and get out more?
I think it would make more sense to learn social skills.You can do that via lectures, books, probably YouTube videos as well.Then practise these new skills quietly on people you already know fairly well, like family or people at work. Positive reinforcement will give you the courage to start practising them on strangers.It’s a big high for anyone to meet people who are interested in them, so genuine interest in other people is a good start, and takes you out of observing yourself and your lack of social skills and thinking about other people instead.Once, my surgical boss drew a group of medical students into my office at the hospital and said to them, ‘Patients you are going to meet and talk to, ask questions and examine, are not on their own safe territory of home. They are in pyjamas or hospital gowns, and they don’t normally meet strangers in those. You have to establish a rapport because you’ll be asking them some very intimate questions no one but their local doctor they’ve known for years asks them.’I had a bit of a quiet giggle because I was a nurse, and nurses have to do that all the time too.I do remember, aged 17 at the time and desperately socially awkward, reading a teen magazine article on the horrors for people like me of entering a room of strangers (or mostly) at a party or before a friend arrived, whatever.The article stated firmly that every person in the room is suffering some kind of similar fear. Some will cover the fear with a lot of noise and activity or making groups of people laugh, etc. You look at them and wonder how people get to be so popular; you have no idea this person is wishing for someone else to take over, someone else to talk to him or her instead of s/he carrying the burden.Others may be laughing too hard or drinking too much to get up their courage or clinging to one group that hasn’t brushed them off yet.But it’s simple, really: just be interested in other people.
I'm 16 and homeschooled.I have no friends left..?
If you have no friends it is because you have not made the effort. You are 16, old enough to get a part time job. There is scouting, home school clubs, park district activities, and volunteering. Do you live in a rural or more urban area? People are not just going to knock on your door to meet you weather you are home schooled or public schooled, you have to make the effort.