| iv id="body"> | | | | no end date). This will probably mean going |
| "The best time to make friends is before you | | | | outside of your comfort zone, that's good, you |
| need them" - Ethel Barrymore | | | | need to challenge yourself. I joined an aikido club |
| If you've gotten as far as this article then you've | | | | and made some good friends. Some other clubs |
| probably already realised the value of spending | | | | include sports clubs, book clubs and health clubs |
| time with friends. With the advent of social | | | | (with the added bonus of getting you fit). |
| networking sites it has become too easy to | | | | 5. Join a charity group. I spent some time feeding |
| distance yourself from "real" friends and surround | | | | underprivileged people over the Christmas period, |
| yourself with digital ones. Digital friends are easier | | | | there was a great comradeship between the |
| to manage, when you feel tired or irritated all you | | | | workers. There are many charity groups looking |
| have to do is switch them off. Real friends are | | | | for volunteers, check at your local library or |
| more challenging but the rewards of a genuine | | | | newspaper for postings. |
| friend are far more valuable. | | | | 6. Join a Business Association. There are lots of |
| Perhaps social networking can be used as a | | | | these. If you enjoy your line of work this is a |
| means to put you in touch with old friends but | | | | great way to meet people with similar interests. |
| the important thing to remember is to take it to | | | | Trade magazines are a good way to find Business |
| the next level and arrange to meet up with them. | | | | Associations. |
| Some of these suggestions might scare you a | | | | 7. Go travelling. Stay at hostels as opposed to |
| little but all good things are worth a little work. | | | | hotels. Travelers at hostels are usually very |
| 1. Call a friend. Make the first move, don't sit | | | | friendly and up for some fun. |
| around waiting for them to ring you. If they can't | | | | 8. Find a coffee shop and make it your "local". |
| make it out for a beer or a coffee, don't take it | | | | Make sure you visit the same place a couple of |
| to heart, sometimes folk are just booked up. But | | | | times a week. You'll start to recognise the same |
| they'll remember, so don't be surprised if they call | | | | faces and can go from a nod and a smile to light |
| you a week or two later. | | | | conversation. I made one of my best friends this |
| 2. Don't eat lunch at your desk. Join your | | | | way, he was the coffee shop owner! Now we |
| colleagues in the canteen if you have one, or | | | | play gigs together on a regular basis. |
| arrange eating out. Sometimes having some | | | | 9. Join a singles group. No it's not sad. It's the |
| company is more important than saving money | | | | perfect way to meet someone outside of the |
| by eating a packed sandwich. | | | | pub/club scene. |
| 3. Join a night class. I joined a French class a few | | | | 10. Join a support group. Most of us have some |
| years ago and had a good laugh with my class | | | | demons to tackle. I make no secret of the fact |
| mates. Didn't learn much French though I must | | | | that I'm a big fan of Al-Anon. I met some of the |
| admit. As you and your classmates will be there | | | | greatest people I've ever known there. Other |
| to learn the same thing, you'll have something in | | | | support groups include AA, Over-eaters |
| common to talk about. | | | | Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Families |
| 4. Join a club (even better then a class as there is | | | | Anonymous or Codependency support groups. |