How do I make new friends?

You scroll past a photo of people together. You are glad they had a good time. You also wish you had been there.

Life can get full of people you know by name and short on people you can call just to talk.

A move, a new job, a child, or leaving work can change who you see each day. You may still care about old friends but rarely have time together.

It may seem that everyone else already has close friends. But some of them may want to meet new people, too.

Think about where you feel most at ease. Around a book? On a walk? While making or fixing something? When you help with a local project? A shared task can make the first talk feel less forced.

One visit may be just one visit. Go back a few times. Learn a name. Ask how someone’s week has been. A friendship often starts with talks like these.

You could also call someone you already know. Is there a friend you have lost touch with, or someone you would like to ask for coffee?

You may try a group and find it does not suit you. That is a reason to try somewhere else. What would you enjoy doing with other people?

You do not have to meet everyone at once. One person and one reason to meet again can be a start.

Sanjog Aul wrote The Tricycle Way after a hard look at his own life. Read a short scene from the book, meet the author, or find an edition that suits you.