Zuzanna Kościuk

On Making Friends

Making friends is never easy, and it only gets harder with time. After all, it’s not like good friends grow on trees! So, how do you make friends? The advice below may help you.

Take The Initiativetake the initiativeTake The Initiative

„I know, I know, no one wants to hear they have to take the first step. Wouldn’t it be easier if people reached outreached out to sb [reach out to sb]reached out to us instead of the other way around? Unfortunately, relying onrelying on [rely on]relying on other people might not always work. That’s why it’s crucialcrucialcrucial you’re out there meeting people and befriending them. The prospectprospectprospect might seem scary. Believe me, I’ve been there, but it’s much easier than it seems. All it takes is a short conversation and things develop from there. You might be asking yourself: “but what do I even say?” Well, why don’t you start with the subject at handat handat hand? Maybe you’re befriendingbefriending [befriend]befriending someone at school. A comment on the hard exam you’re taking soon might be just the thing. What about if it happens when you’re occupied withoccupied withoccupied with your hobby? In such a case, it’s even easier: just talk about what you both love. With time, the small talksmall talksmall talk will turn into something more personal and what do you know? You’ve made a friend!

Embrace Friendlinessembrace friendlinessEmbrace Friendliness

What do you think of when you hear the word “friendly”? What about “friend”? The truth is that each of us will think of something a little bit different. The key is to turn those thoughts into action: be the friend you want to have. If you’re looking for someone kind and with a good sense of humour, it only makes sense to nurturenurturenurture those traits in yourself. You might be thinking: “wait, but I don’t only want to befriend people like me!” You’re right: variety is the spice of lifevariety is the spice of lifevariety is the spice of life. However, no matter what people we befriend, friendliness, in one way or another, is a must. Be honest with yourself now: would you befriend someone frigidfrigidfrigid, mean, or rude? Probably not, so it makes sense others wouldn’t want to befriend you were you to behave like this.

Find a New Hobby

Most people meet their friends at school or university. However, as we’re all well aware, it doesn’t always work. Where do you turn then? In the direction of a new hobby, of course! You don’t need to have the same interests as other people to create lifelong friendshipscreate lifelong friendshipscreate lifelong friendships, but it sure helps in the beginning. You meet like‑minded peoplelike‑minded people [like‑minded person]like‑minded people and spend a lot of time together and always have something to talk about. Nothing brings people closer than a shared hobby!

Befriend Friends of Friends

One of the easiest ways to make friends is by befriending the friends of our friends. After all, we all know people and they know people and… You get my meaning. Your best friend in the world probably knows a person or people who are more accessibleaccessibleaccessible to befriend than total strangerstotal strangers [total stranger]total strangers. Why don’t you take the initiative and propose a meetingpropose a meetingpropose a meeting? In the era of the internet, you might even ask to create a group chat or play a game online together. Your friend’s friends may not be your kind of people, but you won’t know that unless you try!

Hopefully, making friends will be easier now. But remember, befriending people is only the first step. A good friendship is one we nurture, so don’t forget to be there for your friends when they need you!

1 Źródło: Zuzanna Kościuk, licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.