Introverts are actually friendly but only with selected people. They choose a friend circle where they feel comfortable and stick to that group forever. So, essentially introverts are not non-sociable people, they just like to enjoy themselves within a specific group. The problem occurs when you are in your early 30s and still struggle to have a social life. So, how to make friends in your 30s as an introvert?
Firstly, accept that there is nothing wrong with being an introvert. Come to terms with your psychological behavior and mental makeup. You will make friends and people will love to have you around. You only need to fine-tune certain aspects of your life without giving up your identity. Now, if you wish to overcome the fear of being left out in the long run and want to leave the introvert tag behind, then you must initiate with a positive mindset.
Here are the ten tips on how to make friends in your 30s as an introvert.
Remember age is just a number. Never let the age factor hamper your social life. Use the following tips to transform yourself into a more social person.
1. Prepare yourself to change your attitude
You have to step out of the cocoon to find yourself. And to do that you must get rid of the attitude that keeps you holding back. It may not be easy to do in the first stage itself. But you have to do things affirmatively so that you set a positive mindset.
It is all about your mindset. And to change that you have to say a few affirmations every day. Think about the good things that you will be able to do when you get along with a different set of people other than your friends. Read the book – The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. You will learn the value of affirmations and the gist of the laws of attraction.
2. Try to meet people who enjoy similar hobbies
What do you like to do in your spare time? If you don’t have a hobby, then pick one. Meeting like-minded people who enjoy the same hobbies can be a great way to become a sociable person.
If you like painting, then join a painting club. If you like to sing, then look for a musical band that is hunting for a lead voice. These are some of the easy ways you can meet new people who also happen to enjoy the things that you like doing.
It may not look simple, but it works; only if you try. If you are still wondering how to make friends in your 30s as an introvert, then choose a hobby that will give you the opportunity to meet new people.
3. Go online and chat with strangers
Have you heard about websites that allow you to chat with strangers? Try Omegle or Chatroulette in your spare time. These websites allow you to connect with strangers or random users who share some common interests.
It is an open opportunity to get rid of the stress that you get when you try to converse with people face to face. But here on these websites, you won’t feel any burden. If you want to be more social, then this is an easy stepping stone.
4. Do not get conscious about your demeanor
Most introverts feel shy to speak up because of some fear. The fear is mostly about whether will people judge me, whether should I change my body language to become more acceptable in the social circle, and the list goes on.
So, dear introverts, no matter what, people will judge you. Many have the habit of judging even the friendliest and amicable people. So, you don’t have to worry about what people will think. Still, thinking about how to be acceptable? Just be yourself and try to approach people to start a communication.
5. Expand your friend circle
When you become complacent, you don’t feel like meeting new people and exploring the world. And that is where you will never lose your cocoon and try to stick to your old friends. Meeting new people and expanding your social circle will bring out the creative person in you.
You can always try to find ways to seek people who love to enjoy doing stuff that you like. And this is not limited to having people who share the same hobby interests. You can also travel and make unknown people your friends.
6. How to make friends in your 30s as an introvert- Join Travel Groups
Once you join travel groups, you will not have any problem making new friends. But if you try to go solo, you will have more opportunities to explore the world and meet new people from different backgrounds.
Group travel does come with some restrictions. But solo traveling will let you enjoy your true self. Also, when you travel solo, you can join different groups on your journey. But to start with, join travel groups. Then you won’t have to think about how to be a sociable person anymore. You will become one soon.
7. Throw a party for your friends and ask them to get their friends
One of the best ideas to lose fear is by hosting a party. When you host a party, you get to greet and meet everybody. Furthermore, if you have invited friends of your friends as well, then you will get an opportunity to expand your friend circle.
Once you develop a habit of talking to different people without any fear, your shyness and the inability to interact peacefully will gradually diminish. So, if you still have any problem being an introvert, then host a party. You won’t have to wonder anymore how to be a sociable person thereafter.
8. How to make friends in your 30s as an introvert- Seek more opportunities to befriend people
The only option to turn yourself into an extrovert is to socialize more. The more you meet new people, the more you will lose the fear of talking to strangers. Traveling will definitely help a lot in finding new friends.
But you must also seek other options to become friends with unknown people. For instance, you can go to coffee houses, reading clubs, gyms, sports clubs, or any other place, where you will have chances to meet friendly people.
9. Observe, listen, interpret, and then share your views
How to be a sociable person? Observe your surroundings. See how people behave, and incorporate their behavior in your approach. The more you see, the more you listen, the easier it will be put across your views.
The communication will go smoothly if you know what the others are talking about. That is the reason you should listen first and then give away your opinions. If your views are accepted, then chances are that people will like to befriend you.
10. How to make friends in your 30s as an introvert- Never say no to an invitation to a party
Do you have the habit of saying no to an invitation? Well, you may have to get rid of that bad habit. If people invite you, go. Never say no. The more you say no, the more you’ll become a recluse.
Reclusiveness will never help you to become social. Instead, you will remain tied up in the non-sociable phase forever in your life. So, how to make friends in your 30s as an introvert? Go to any party you are invited to. Even if your friends invite you to a slumber party or a small get-together, then go. Enjoy the freedom.