How to Make Friends: Tips for Forming Strong Friendships

Shared Interests: Finding common ground with others is a great way to start a friendship. Whether it’s a love for sports, music, movies, or books, having a shared interest creates an opportunity for friendship to flourish. Joining clubs, groups or attending events that cater to your hobbies or interests is a great way to meet people who share these same interests.

Become a Good Listener: Often, people are more focused on talking about themselves instead of listening to others. However, being a good listener is essential to forming strong friendships. Be attentive, show interest in their stories, and ask follow-up questions. People appreciate those who show interest in them and will be more likely to reciprocate, building a stronger bond between one another.

Be Yourself: It’s easy to try and impress people by acting differently or pretending to like something you don't. However, this is not the foundation for real, authentic friendships. Being yourself is important to forming long-lasting friendships because it allows you to connect with people who genuinely like you for who you are. Having shared values, interests, and personalities helps ensure that your friendship remains strong and lasting.

Overall, making friends requires effort, patience and an open-mind. Forming friendships is a rewarding experience and can enrich our lives. By finding shared interests, becoming a good listener, and being yourself, you can form meaningful and authentic friendships that last a lifetime.