One of the many age old questions is ‘How do grown-ups make new
friends?’ As a child or young adult
there are countless opportunities to make friends; i.e.: school, sports, clubs,
hobbies, and the lunch table. Also, typically when you’re young, parents help
facilitate friendships; providing transportation, organizing your schedule,
networking with other parents. Once you’re an adult, with a family and time
consuming responsibilities that control your daily patterns and regions how
does one break the shield and form fresh, new relationships organically? How
does a single, established adult widen their range of potential relationships
in real time?
I plan to do some research, pick some brains and get some
real field experience on this quandary.
Over the next 3 months I will routinely visit local coffee houses and
lunch venues to observe and interview adults on this very topic. I promise to
take detailed notes and report back my findings in the hopes of helping even
one other person decipher the road map to reach outside of their designated
zone.
Before venturing out into the wild I would like to share the
reason I find myself in a position of needing a friend building refresher
course. I am a 50 year old divorcee with four adult children. As a young,
working mother and wife I threw myself into my roles whole heartedly. As one
can imagine, four children and a full time job can (and did) consume the 24
hours we are allotted which each rotation. I did not dedicate the time or the
effort towards creating long lasting friendships – I was, in short, busy! Now
with a divorce in the record books and well-adjusted offspring I am aware of
this missing puzzle piece in my repertoire.
One of the many goals in writing a blog is to help both
reader and writer to process an experience together. I hope to expand my horizons, meet people I
never would have otherwise crossed paths with and truly come out on the other
side with some unique, greenhouse relationships. I hope you’ll join me on the
journey!
Until next time………….. just add courage!
