How to Make Friends if You Are an Introvert

If you’re an introvert, then you know just how hard it can be to make friends. You don’t like meeting new people. You feel as if there’s a wall between you and the world. Face-to-face communication baffles you. You don’t know what to say. If you want a happy social life, don’t worry because there are solutions. Being an introvert is challenging, but it’s not the end of the world. Here’s how to get friends.

Understand you deserve the best people in your life

First, you have to realize that you want to make friends and get a social life. You deserve to have friends who treat you well. You don’t deserve to be a loner. Relationships are important in our lives. They increase our emotional wellbeing, create stability, and make us happy. Sometimes, your low self-esteem can trick you into thinking that you’re better off alone. This isn’t true. You need a wide circle of friends. And you have the necessary social skills, so stop coming up with excuses. Your way of interacting may be different from that of others, yet you make a good friend.

Make the first move

If you want to have great relationships, make the first move. Don’t wait for other people to come to you. It’s okay to make the first move and initiate conversation. When you run into someone you know at the grocery store, ask them if they would like to join you for a short walk or exchange numbers. Maybe the two of you can catch up. You fear rejection and it’s understandable. You’re afraid that people won’t want to hang out with you because you’re not interesting enough. Don’t judge yourself too harshly. You’re a great person to be around, so don’t be passive about making friends.

Be where the people are

You could ask your friends if they know anyone new in the city. Or you could simply go where the people are. It’s a good idea to ditch traditional meeting places such as bars and restaurants. You can’t be expected to go into a cramped space and spark up a conversation out of the blue. Join a writing class or take up a sport. Don’t take these opportunities for granted. Your future besties are where you expect them the least. They’re expanding their professional qualifications or indulging into sports. The point is that you need to go where the people are. Now, it’s the age of the Internet, so you shouldn’t have a problem in finding friends.

Notice how you feel

Introverts focus all their attention on developing deep relationships. Actually, they don’t know how to make shallow connections. Take the time to notice how you feel. Do you feel anxious? Do you feel nervous? It’s okay to have negative feelings, but don’t let them get the best of you. Having close friends is the key to happiness. Get the negative emotions out of your system. Give yourself permission to take a break, but don’t isolate yourself from the world. Making new friends may be tiresome, but it’s worth the effort.