Volunteering is good for more than just your conscience. Research by Rush University Medical Center even suggests that mental stimulation like reading can reduce anxiety and lower your risk of developing dementia later in life, so don't wait to immerse yourself in a new paperback. "It's more of a challenge to make friends as an adult because this group of people is often in the prime of their lives building their career and families," says life coach Dr. Jaime Kulaga, PhD, LMCH. Befriend your significant other's friends. There's no shame in asking for an invite. Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today. It's been a while since we talked and I've been wondering how you are. I've been such a fan of all the things you post. Organize and join local, real-life "meetups" with people who share your interests.
Win, win. You'll meet like-minded people, get the word out about a cause that's important to you, and might even do some good in this world. People are always looking for bloggers online who they can relate to.
It's not as scary as it seems. Start grabbing lunch with them as much as possible. Turn acquaintances into friends: We all have some people swirling in our lives who we'd love to get to know a bit better. If your current coworkers aren't the kind of people you can see yourself socializing with outside of work, try adopting a side hustle. Change hearts, minds, and the size of your social circle with one easy action: canvassing for a politician. Not only will befriending people your spouse knows professionally expand your social circle, but it might even prove to be a potential boon to their career as well. Start by saying hi to people when you pass them on the street. Fast forward a few decades, however, and things aren't quite so simple. When you want to make friends after 50, you have to get physically out of your comfort zone—in other words, off the couch. Attending local city council meetings will help you get in touch with a community of people who care about the same issues as you—and maybe even those willing to tackle a project you're passionate about with you. Think you can't befriend your hairdresser or hang out with your kid's teachers? Pick a destination or a retreat that piques your interest and go for it! At the end of class, don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with a fellow participant—you already know that you have at least one interest in common, after all.
And that's the sad reality of life.