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Join a club, try out for a sports team, or hang out at places where there are likely to be others who share your passions or interests. Not only will this introduce you to lots of new people, it will also eliminate the difficulty of coming up with things to talk about, since your similarities are the very reason you're there. If reading is your thing, you might consider starting a book club that convenes every couple of weeks. Invite your close friends to be the first members, then have them reach out to their friends to begin bringing new people into the fold. Practice opening yourself up to others by striking up conversation with various people you encounter throughout the day. It could be a classmate, a bank teller, your yoga instructor, or the guy ringing you up at the grocery store. A simple, "How's it going?" could be the seed that blossoms into a lifelong friendship. Keep an eye out for things that you and the other person have in common, such as a favorite band, TV show, or brand of sneaker. Topics like these can be good icebreakers. Get rid of any notions you may have of separating your "social life" from your "professional" or "academic" life. Even if you're not the most social being, you should make it your goal to be sociable in all areas of your life. " Every new situation you find yourself in is a chance to meet new people. The next time someone invites you to a party where you don't know anybody, or asks you to take part in a social outing that you would ordinarily avoid, make it a point to say yes. You never know who you might end up connecting with there. Putting yourself in unfamiliar situations can be scary. Just keep in mind that most people will want to like you the first time they meet you. And, if you don't know them to begin with, you really have nothing to lose. You don't always have to say "yes" to everything. If the idea of doing something makes you uncomfortable, it's okay to respectfully decline. These days, technology makes it possible to stay socially engaged without ever leaving your home. If you're just not ready to put yourself out there yet, look for an online community where you can practice your social skills in a low-pressure setting. Social media apps that allow you to express your thoughts and glimpses of your private life, like Twitter and Instagram, can be a perfect platform for this. Join communities related to your particular hobbies, interests, and lifestyle. Don't just sit back and lurkbe an active participant by leaving comments, sharing posts, joining in discussions, and encouraging your followers to interact with your page or profile. After getting to know someone online, you might eventually even arrange to meet up in real life and take your friendship to the next level.
Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Talk to strangers. Get in the habit of saying "yes. Find new friends online.