More than ever before, people are living alone. Of course, everyone’s reasons for why they live alone may differ, but what they have in common is that it can be harder to make connections with people when you spend a lot of time by yourself.
This doesn’t mean that living alone doesn’t have its merits. Solitude allows for people to do some self-reflection and learn about themselves and can allow you to really personalize your space and your life to suit your needs. But it does mean that you’ll need to be more intentional when it comes to socializing as living alone gives less opportunity to meet people. This means setting aside time to get together with family and friends and keeping in touch via messaging or video. Even if it’s just to send a quick text, regularly reach out to people so that you don’t isolate yourself completely.
Get Active
The more difficult side of this is when it comes to meeting new people. The easiest way to do this is through activity-oriented events and meet-ups. One of the best ways to take care of your mental and physical health is through diet and exercise, and this can also create many opportunities to socialize. Gyms are a great place to meet new people, as many people tend to go by themselves, so you won’t feel like the odd one out. The same thing applies to other types of fitness classes, like Zumba, where the whole point is to socialize while getting a workout.
Join a Club
Another activity-oriented event that you can participate in, is a club. There are plenty of online and in-person events like book clubs, arts clubs, gaming clubs, that encourage new members to join, you just need to find one that aligns with your interests. One of the reasons this is such a great option that these kinds of events usually follow a consistent schedule, so it takes some of the pressures of social planning off your plate. It also gives the opportunity to improve your skills in your hobby or interests of choice, while also creating the perfect environment to establish new connections.
Take a Class
There are also plenty of organizations that offer various classes. These classes can be about anything, and it’s always exciting to take the opportunity to learn. While many classes do have a fee, some do not, and like joining a club, classes generally are scheduled to take place multiple weeks in a row. So, you can grow your skills in a pre-existing hobby, or learn a whole new one, while also getting to know the people in your class. These kinds of options for socializing are great because you already have something in common with the other people attending, and there isn’t as much pressure to always keep up conversation, since you’ll also be busy with the hobby you’re learning.
Attend Community Events or Volunteer
There is also the option of going to the website for the city you live in to see what events they have going on. Usually, throughout the year, cities will host free events so people can become more involved in their communities and meet their neighbours. This can include things like markets, festivals, and events at the library or community centre. You can explore the culture of the neighbourhood you live in, while also getting to know your neighbours.
Another way to get involved in your community is through volunteering. Many organizations are often looking for people to help out, and this can be a great way to meet people who believe in the same causes you do, while also giving back.
Be Kind to Yourself
Whatever it is that you choose to do, be kind to yourself. Socializing and putting yourself out there is hard, especially if you’re an introvert or are out of practice. Remember to take things one step at a time. You may even find that once you start socializing with a new group of people, they do a lot of the rest of the work for you, introducing you to new people and new experiences.
Lauren Schwartz | Contributing Writer
