From our first meeting, it was clear that we clicked. Of course, like any friendship, she had some habits that irked me. But I was patient because I saw she was actively engaged in therapy and was genuinely committed to self-improvement. Over time, I witnessed her transformation unfold, and it was a powerful thing to be a part of. So when I’m at a party or a group event and I want to meet someone, I just walk up to them and say, “Hey, I don’t think we’ve met before. It’s simple, it’s easy, and, I gotta say, it works every single time.

How to Turn a Work Friend Into a Real Friend

We know that when forming new friendships, the more regular contact you have, the better. Activities are a great way to make friends, but to form friendships, regular contact is crucial. Think about what you could participate in on a regular basis. Sports leagues book clubs, and volunteering, are examples of great ways to meet people regularly enough to build those friendships. With a shared hobby or activity, you have common ground with strangers that you can use to start conversations that could lead to friendship.

Work friendships started back in New York and are still going strong

I know, actually opening up a bit and talking to people? But a) we don’t always get what we want, and b) you’re asking a question that many of us have trouble answering even in the best of times, before “social distancing” was even a thing. Ask them to hop into a video call with you just to chat about what you’re working on and what their interests are. Suggest a virtual coffee, or a virtual drink after work. (Or ice cream, for the folks who don’t drink. My pal Karen Ho, a sustainability reporter at Insider, taught me that one!) Make plans to hang out after a big project is finished, for example. Book that 15 minute coffee break on their calendar so no one forgets, and be willing to move it if you (or they) aren’t feeling it today.

How to make friends when you work from home

“Taking those few extra moments to talk to someone and ask a question or two about something they shared is an opportunity to get to know them better,” says Pizzica. Because it turns out that connecting with other people at work is not only good for your mental health, it’s good for your job performance. As infections dropped, people had somehow how to make friends when you work from home forgotten how to return to their normal lives. So now is the time to shed your COVID-induced anti-social behavior. Just change a few of your habits and force yourself out the door. While Facebook is a source for these groups, more active interest groups appear on Reddit or Meetup.com.

1. I’ve made trips to visit my work friends in their new homes around the world.
2. It can be easy to nurture a surface-level friendships when working from home, but that doesn’t mean it will become a lasting and meaningful relationship.
3. Take advantage of this, ask a few questions and get chatting – you never know what you might learn.
4. On Thanksgiving day, I prepared stuffing and a few pumpkin pies in my new kitchen.
5. With price points that are super affordable paired with their same-day pickup option, they’re a holiday procrastinator’s best friend.

The best 2022 planners to help you stay focused and achieve goals

Although that doesn’t mean talking to everyone you see (don’t worry, Steve!), it does mean that you should make yourself accessible to meeting new people. In these remote work times, some of the more natural opportunities for praise – like head nodding in a meeting or a quick “nice work! Everyone likes to be recognized for their hard work, so take a minute to send a text or an email letting someone know you noticed them. That’s hard to recreate in a video chat, but making those connections isn’t impossible.

The best way to do this is to put a standing meeting on your calendar,  perhaps once a week or once a month, depending on preference. Give them their space, and consider connecting with colleagues who are more public and open to interacting on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and beyond. That colleague who’s always sharing recipes and photos of the gorgeous meals they make on their personal blog will probably appreciate your likes and comments on their posts. Just because there’s no seltzer dispenser to gossip around, no cafeteria to gather in, or no office to go to, doesn’t mean you can’t make friends with your colleagues. There are lots of things you can do to get to know them whether they’re a county, a country, or an ocean away. Instead of passively scrolling through your social feeds, why not reach out to a few profiles in your local area and arrange a quick coffee?

1. Instead of passively scrolling through your social feeds, why not reach out to a few profiles in your local area and arrange a quick coffee?
2. Her team maintains an open chat channel where they can ask questions, share and provide support.
3. Another strategy to expand your social circle is to leverage virtual platforms.
4. If you’re in the same area, you may even get the chance to meet up.
5. To branch back out and meet some friendly faces, you can easily venture outside the office using the office friends you’ve already made.
6. Whenever someone posts about wanting a co-working buddy, I slide into their DMs to arrange plans.

However, as remote work became rote, companies have become quite siloed, and even interactions with close teammates have significantly diminished. I want to stress that we lived “far away” in LA terms from each other and still made it a point to hangout and make time for each other. Six months into our friendship I moved because of the pandemic. Contrary to what some men might think, making friends can be especially challenging for confident women.

You can spend a few more minutes in bed, avoid having to plan an office-appropriate outfit, and concentrate on your work tasks without any distractions. If someone isn’t interested in chatting about anything beyond the project at hand, give them space and introduce yourself to another colleague. The data provided and opinions given do not reflect any employer specific data, and opinions are not shared or authorized by the co-founders’ current employers.

To branch back out and meet some friendly faces, you can easily venture outside the office using the office friends you’ve already made. On a scheduled in-person day, make a plan with your new office friend to check out a new French fry shop in your area, or a brunch place down the block. Check the schedule and see who else is working that day, and if your coworker thinks you’d all click, ask if they’d like to come along.

Making friends in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond isn’t an easy task, but as long as you don’t expect any miracles and stick to these tips, you should find a person with common interests. Even if it gets you out of the house, it’s a step in the right direction. I would only make friends with people in the offices or sites I’m visiting. I’d never try and befriend strangers—it’s not my style. You also want to pay attention to how your nervous system feels. Or do you have to pretend to be someone else around this person?