Being busy can be rough on friendships, but if you’re too busy to even make new friends, it’s even worse. After all, you not only have to find time to meet new people, you also have to figure out ways to nurture the friendship. But first things first, before you can fit in time with friends you first have to find them.

Go Online to Meet New Friends

If you’re working long hours or have numerous family and school obligations that are keeping you busy until the late hours of the night, the online world is a great option for you.

With sites like these ten that help you meet friends, you can start up a conversation with people and at least get the ball rolling with small talk. Best of all, you can do it in your own time, when you’ve got a few free minutes here and there. You don’t need to devote large chunks of time using this method. In fact, small but frequent bouts of online time can help you find out about events and connect with new people faster than if you had sat in front of the computer all day.

Use the online world as your method of introduction and then make time to get to know your new friends better with short coffee dates after that. Eventually you’ll have a small circle of friends you can trust.

Meet Friends at Work or School

Very often our busiest times are spent at our jobs and in school, so use that to your advantage and meet new people there. Be friendly, likeable, and interested in others in order to find friends who are right for you. Even at a job you hate, you can find opportunities to connect with likeminded people.

School is a great place to make friends as well. The friendships you’ll make there may grow with you throughout your lifetime, like these celebrity friends that have been pals since childhood.

Work Off Stress While You Keep Physically Fit

Keep your physical health up and meet people at the same time by making friends at the gym. You might find a workout buddy who can help you keep a healthier balance in your life. Having a friend there waiting for you will encourage you to keep appointments for workouts. Choose an activity like walking where you can talk and get to know each other or carve out a few moments of time afterward to grab some juice and catch up.

Don’t Hibernate

It can be tempting to go home at the end of a long day and just relax on the couch. This is especially true if you’re really busy and just want some quiet time to yourself. But friends can also help you deal with stress, so make some time just to get out and interact. If you feel too tired to meet a new friend, choose an hour just to have coffee or lunch. That way you’ll get a short burst of energy as you talk with your new friend before you have to get back to your busy schedule.

Remember that friends are as important to our physical health as they are our emotional wellbeing. So even if you’re swamped, make a plan for finding friends and growing your social circle. My five weeks to form a new friendship ecourse will give you weekly tips on how to bring someone from acquaintance to good friend.

 

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