It is important to surround yourself with people. The people you come into contact with have the biggest influence on your life, whether you realize it or not. You are influenced by magazines, TV shows, the radio, and the internet–but these mediums are filled with advertisements trying to sell products. Therefore they tend towards being negative places. Surround yourself with good folks, and you’ll have a better chance of being positive. In this article, we’re going to go over some creative ways you can surround yourself with people who will influence you positively–and some creative ideas for bringing those friends into your life or making new ones.
We’ve divided the creative ideas by how they can be used: in person, online, or a combo of both.
1. Join a club or group that meets regularly.
There are clubs and groups for every interest imaginable. You could join a running club, book club, knitting circle, or any other type of group. When you have a set meeting time each week, you’ll be more likely to make friends with the other members. And if the club is interesting, you’ll have even more in common with them.
2. Volunteer at a local charity or organization.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share your interests and values. You’ll also be doing something good for your community.
3. Go to a local park or hiking trail.
Pack a picnic lunch and go for a hike or visit your local park. You’ll be surprised how many people you’ll meet just by being out and about.
4. Take a class at a community center or adult education center.
There are classes on all sorts of topics, from cooking to ballroom dancing. You’ll not only learn something new, but you’ll also meet people with similar interests.
5. Attend a religious service or community event.
Churches, temples, and mosques often have social events to meet people from the community. You don’t have to be religious to attend–go to meet new people.
6. Host a party.
Invite your friends over for a game night, movie night, or themed party. This is a great way to get everyone together in one place.
7. Go on a group tour.
All sorts of group tours are available, from wine tastings to city tours. This is a great way to see a new place and meet new people simultaneously.
8. Go to a concert or sporting event.
Attending a live event is a great way to get out and meet people. Fans of the same things’ll surround you, so it’ll be easy to make friends.
9. Strike up a conversation with someone who looks interesting.
Sometimes the person sitting next to you on the bus or waiting in line with you is just as interesting and fun as your friends back at home—you need to start a conversation and get to know them. A life without risks isn’t a life worth living!
10. Meetup.com
Meetup is a website that lets you search for people with similar interests in your area. You can meet up to do activities together, from hiking to volunteering at a local charity.
If these ideas don’t work, be proactive and start reaching out to new people wherever you go!
11. Make new friends in your hometown.
It never hurts to have people you know and trust close by when you need them. This is especially important for young adults who may be new to town or just starting college, but it’s good advice for anyone of any age. Who knows where life will take you? It’s nice to have a safety net in case you need it.
12. Join a club or group on social media.
There are all sorts of clubs and groups on social media, from book clubs to mommy groups to groups for people who love cats (seriously). This is a great way to meet new people without leaving your house.
13. Reach out to friends you haven’t talked to in a while.
Reuniting with old friends is always fun, even if it’s just for a night. And now that the internet exists, it’s so easy to find them! Reach out to your friends on Facebook or send them an email asking how they’ve been and if they’d like to meet up sometime. They’ll be flattered you thought of them and happy to reconnect.
14. Use social media wisely.
Be careful with social media! While it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, it can also leave you open to people who want to take advantage of you. Make sure your privacy settings are as strict as possible. Also, please don’t use your real name or share too much about yourself, and it’s a good idea to unfriend people you don’t know in real life.
15. Take a self-defense class.
When going out alone or walking home from work at night, make sure you feel safe by taking a martial arts class or self-defense class. This is especially important for women.
16. Join a sports team.
Not everyone has the time to be an athlete, but joining a sports team is a great way to meet people and stay active at the same time! You can even join your favorite player’s fan club or follow them on social media–don’t stalk them!
17. Take a class at the local community college or university.
You can meet people who have similar interests as you and learn something new by taking a class at your local school. Plus, there are usually clubs associated with each major that you can join.
18. Volunteer.
Volunteering is great for not only meeting people but also for giving back to your community. There are all sorts of charities and organizations that need volunteers, so take a look at what’s available in your area and see where you fit in.
19. Travel.
Traveling is a great way to meet new people from all over the world. You’ll be exposed to different cultures, languages, and lifestyles that you never knew existed before. It’s especially great to travel with friends or family because you make memories together.
20. Take a day trip to another city.
If you can’t afford to travel to another country, don’t worry! There are plenty of other options for you. All cities have unique attractions, events, and tourist destinations that you could visit. Plus, it’s less expensive than actually leaving the country–and often more affordable than visiting a different state.
21. Take classes at an art school or community college.
Maybe you don’t want to go to an actual university, but you still like learning new things! Art schools and community colleges offer a variety of classes that you can take, from painting to pottery to history. You’ll be able to meet people who share your interests and make some new ones, too.
22. Start your club or group.
If you’re passionate about something, start your club or group! This can be a great way to meet people with similar interests and have fun simultaneously. For example, if you love a specific TV show, consider starting a club or group of fans from your area so you can watch episodes together over some drinks.
23. Volunteer at events.
If you don’t want to volunteer somewhere regularly, there are other ways to get involved. Try volunteering at events, like charity walks or races. You’ll be able to meet new people and help out a good cause simultaneously.
24. Join a networking group.
Networking is a great way to make professional connections, but it’s also a great way to make friends. There are all sorts of networking groups out there, from book clubs to wine tastings. Find one that’s a good fit for you and start attending meetings.
25. Attend concerts or festivals.
Festivals and concerts are a great way to see your favorite artist or band, but they’re also a great way to meet people. There’s usually a large group of people at these events, so if you go with friends or by yourself, you’ll easily be able to meet new people.
26. Join a choir.
If singing is your thing, join a choir! Not only will you get to learn about music and try something new, but you’ll also meet people who share your interests. Plus, choir members often get together outside of rehearsal to socialize, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make friends.
27. Go on a road trip.
Road trips are a great way to see the country (or the world) and meet new people. You and your friends can all pile into one car and take turns driving, or you can caravan with other people who are going to the same destination.
28. Start a blog or podcast.
If you love writing or talking, start a blog or podcast! This is a great way to share your thoughts and meet new people with similar interests. Plus, you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
29. Get a pet.
Pets are a great way to meet new people, and they’re especially great if you live alone. When you take your pet for a walk or to the park, you’ll meet other pet owners who will want to chat with you. Pets also provide an easy conversation starter, so you’ll have no problem chatting with others.
30. Go to a writer’s group.
If writing is your thing, why not meet other writers? Writer’s groups are often held at libraries, coffee shops, and other public meeting places, so you can easily meet new people who share your interests. Plus, these meetings are much less intimidating than attending large social events.
31. Get involved in your community.
If you want to meet active and involved people in their community, get involved yourself! There are many ways to do this, from volunteering at a soup kitchen to running for office. You’ll be able to meet people who share your values and make some new friends along the way.
32. Take a class at your local community center.
Your local community center likely offers a variety of classes, from dance to cooking to history. This is a great way to meet people who share your interests and learn something new at the same time.
33. Try out a new sport or activity.
If you’re looking for new ways to meet people, try out a new sport or activity. Yoga is a good place to start. Not only will you be meeting like-minded individuals, but you’ll also be able to take your practice home with you and do it on your own whenever it’s convenient for you.
34. Go camping.
Camping is great fun, but it’s also a great way to meet new people. A sense of community comes with going camping, so you’ll have no problem striking up conversations with other campers.
35. Go on a multi-day hike.
Multi-day hikes are another great way to explore the outdoors and make friends in the process. You can organize a hike with your friends or loved ones, or you can go by yourself and wait for other hikers to approach you.
36. Go on a road trip.
If you don’t want to go camping but still want an outdoor experience, try going on a road trip! You could camp along the way or find affordable hotels along the way. Either way, you’ll have a great time and get to connect with people from all over.
37. Volunteer for a political campaign.
If you love American politics or world politics, why not volunteer for a political campaign? This is an excellent way to meet new people who share your passion for politics, and it’s also a great way to get involved in the political process.
38. Join a club or organization.
Clubs and organizations are a great way to meet people with similar interests. Whether you’re into reading, writing, hiking, or motorcycles, there’s likely a club or organization for you. Joining is a great way to make friends and expand your social circle.
39. Attend a religious service.
Attending a religious service is another great way to meet people with similar values. You’ll be able to connect with others who share your faith, and you may even make some new friends in the process.
40. Go to a large social event.
If you’re looking for a way to meet many new people, go to a large social event. These events can be a bit intimidating, but you’ll be much more comfortable if you go with friends or loved ones. You’ll be able to meet people from all walks of life, and you may even make some lifelong friends.
Conclusion
As you can see, you have plenty of ways to meet new people! All you need is a little bit of courage and social know-how. The next time you feel lonely, uninspired, or just in the mood for some company, follow this guide to know about 40 Ways to Surround Yourself With People. You never know who will be waiting around that corner with a smile on their face and an open heart!
