I keep seeing mention of clubs/hobbies to meet new people. Can anyone give more examples as to what you’re referring to?
A lot of my hobbies are fairly solitary, such as working on my car, gardening/plants, guitar, 3d printing, reading, camping/travel etc.
I’m trying to meet more people close to my age (mid 20s), I’m not really sure where they are at this point.
Not really interested in organized sports/leagues, though I did play ice hockey when I was younger and still have my gear/still all fits.
4 comments
I don’t have any advice other to say I’m in the same situation. I have lots of solitary hobbies like gardening, reading, and painting. I check local libraries and organizations for events, but it’s hard to find. And when I do find them usually they’re full of older people (nothing bad with that, I love meeting older people, but it would be nice to meet people my age too). I live in a mid size city and even meet up doesn’t have the best options.
I’m convinced that people my age (mid/late 20s) are busy working and/or raising kids. And most have already established their friends group and not looking to add people.
It’s tough, and I’ll keep doing my best to get out there but it’s definitely not easy!
For me, no team sports, was too nerdy/arty. However, later I made amazing friends around snow and bike sports, and paddle boarding with those who don’t like going down hills. These activities are so much fun, and you can do them as a group (or not) but progress at your own level. You can go as fast or slow as you feel comfortable. Full of people your age.
In the before times we would find a new trail (for bikes) and do a group day trip. So many fun adventures! Makes you feel that same sense of joy you might have had as a kid – rallying on a trail or through trees makes me whoop out loud and I’m a quiet person who likes to read, garden etc.
These sports changed my life in ways I never imagined. Fear of heights, speed, learning how to ride well enough to finally tip the scales from awkward to more graceful… hard but super satisfying.
Clubs/hobbies are one way to meet new people, but they’re far from the only way. Making friends can be done anywhere, here are some places: Work, your living unit/neighborhood, relatives, re-connecting with old friends/neighbors, volunteer work (may need to try a few to see where younger people are involved, e.g. Habitat for Humanity or ones involving more youth-oriented causes), church young adult groups, outdoors club, exercise class, adult ed class (usually aimed at more practical skills e.g. taxes, computer, photography etc.), gaming groups, local meetups, coffee shop with regularly scheduled things such as live music, volunteer behind the scenes at local community theater, volunteer to help at a local 5K race passing out waters etc. (great way to connect with fellow volunteers or meet people in great shape after the race), etc.
There may even be local camping groups.
Try finding the social version of your hobby. Eg if you like reading – join a book club, car – find the car club for your car, etc.