So you’ve taken the plunge and find yourself in a far away land, wanderer. One thing that you’ll begin to notice rather quickly, no matter how independent you are, is that a lack of friends and community in a new place can be pretty lonely. Very few have the courage to talk about that feeling but loneliness is a normal part of the human experience. When moving to a new city these feelings are important to process but just because you’re feeling lonely doesn’t mean you have to go through that alone! I wish someone had told me these things when I moved across the country by myself. Friends can be a hard thing to find if you haven’t had to expand your friend group in couple of years. So, that’s why I’m putting together this guide for any wanders out there, wherever you may find yourself. You’re not alone.
Meetups
Meetups for different hobbies are by far the easiest way to make new friends. Typically these groups have other areas of overlap with other activities or topics you may enjoy. There are tons of websites available to find meetups in your city. You can find everything from board game nights, to yoga, or even fire spinning if you’re feeling adventurous!
Yoga
No matter who you are you can benefit from Yoga and the practice of mindfulness that it teaches. Finding a yoga studio that’s close to you can be a great way to unwind after a long day of work and maybe connect with others who are pursuing a more healthy physical and emotional life.
Local Music
Whether you’re into jazz, dubstep, house music, indie, or jam bands there are thousands of people who share similar tastes in music. There are groups in just about every city that will meetup before concerts, attend them together, or even throw their own. Music has always been a big part of my life and it’s actually how I’ve found almost all of my friends since I’ve moved. Find your local music scene and be open minded to new types of music! You’ll find some of the most beautiful, eccentric and creative people in the world.
Coffee
Becoming a regular at your local coffee shop is a great way to find conversation and maybe even pick up a new hobby! Specialty coffee is more accessible than ever. Ask your barista for a pour over recipe and see if it gets a conversation going.
Parks
Hanging out at the park is not only a great boost for your mental health but you’ll have tons of opportunities to strike up conversation or even play a pickup game of your favorite sport.
Nature Adventures
There are tons of local groups for people who like to do outdoor activities. Facebook often has groups that are dedicated to planning nature activity meetups. Urban Adventure Club is a national subscription service that’s pretty popular with people who are interested in a wide variety of activities like hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or rock climbing. Even if you don’t have anyone to do a nature adventure with I highly recommend going on a couple by yourself. Getting out of the city often provides a reconnection to our humanity and helps us see things from new perspectives.
Regardless of where your adventure takes you, community is just waiting around the corner. Don’t give up! It takes time. Everything you feel, loneliness, anxiety, FOMO, are all valid emotions. Feel them. Work through them. Talk about it with a loved one. Even if you’re alone you don’t have to do it alone.