Today we are going to get away from the financial news. The doom and gloom you read and watch there is relevant, but it's not good for anyone's mental health. Sometimes it's nice to see things that are informative and not telling you that the world has gone to the dogs. I want to talk about something that has been a topic of a few conversations I have had recently, and that is making friends as an adult.
Making friends is hard. Even as kid it is relatively hard, particularly in today's world where everything in their lives is regimented. It's not terribly easy even in college, and that's the time of someone's life where they are around more true peers than any other time. Once you get to the workplace, it is downright difficult. If you have someone with whom you work who you consider a true friend, count yourself lucky.
When you reach adulthood, meaning you are through with school and you are paying all the bills, finding true friendship may seem almost impossible. You have life getting in the way, and it's no fun doing that by yourself. I have a couple of suggestions. First of all, look at home. Are you married? If so, you should have a built in best friend right there. If you are married and you don't, well, I'll suggest therapy. No shame in therapy either, I've done it before and it is very good for your mental health.
If you're not married (and, if you are, this advice still applies), then find something you like to do. If you have hobbies, you can find others who enjoy the same stuff as you. I have a group of friends in my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class. Ask me about it, I'll talk your ear off. There is a group for just about everything and if you are looking to make friends and expand your circle, I highly recommend finding one.
This leads into something else that today's world lacks: connections. OK, how can I say that? We are more connected than ever. 6 degrees of separation is more like 3 or 4 with social media as it is today. We are connected, but we don't have connections with other people. We don't really know who they are, particularly on social media. Most of the time you are meeting their representative: Their curated self that they are putting forth for the world to see. We can talk about that at a later time, though, this is getting long winded.
In short, quit watching the news for a little while, go outside, make a friend. It's hard, it may take a few tries, but the reward is worth the work. And if you need someone to say a few nice words to you, call me.
Be kind to everyone,
Brian
For further reading on this topic, click this link to FortuneWell