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Re-starting Your Social Life
When did you last go out? Have friends round? If the answer is not as often as you would like, this is the chance to re-start your social life. First let’s have a look at the way things have been in the last year. Assess the current situation. A. Make a list of friends you have seen socially in the last year, either individually or in a group. B. Make a list of people you have enjoyed chatting to in the last year – people at church, in the pub, at a social club, neighbours, friends of friends etc. Now start contacting these people and arrange to meet socially. Here are some ideas to get you started. 1. Invite them to dinner. 2. Invite them to lunch. 3. Say ‘ It would be lovely to meet up for a drink one night’. 4. We’re thinking of going to see _? at the local theatre. Do you fancy joining us? 5. Suggest a trip to the coast/ local beauty spot with lunch out. 6. We’re having a take-away on Saturday evening. Are you free? 7. Invite them to a barbecue. 8. We’re thinking of joining a walking/dancing group. Would you be interested? There are numerous possibilities. Don’t feel rejected if they can’t make it. There’s always another time. Ring somebody else and start filling your diary now. Improving the current situation. To increase the number of friends, you have to make an effort to renew past friendships and meet new people. A. Renew past friendships. Go through your address book and make a decision to contact some old friends. Give them a call and say ‘ It’s a really long time since we saw you. Why don’t we arrange to meet and have a catch up?’ If they have moved away it’s quite often possible to meet half way in a shopping area or a pub for lunch, or in the evening for a meal and an overnight stay. What about old school friends or work mates. If you still see anybody from the group, why not see if you can arrange a reunion. It could be the start of regular outings. There are many social networking websites that can help in the search. ‘Facebook’ or ‘Friends Re-united’ are two of the popular ones. B. Meet new people. To meet new people you have to talk to people you do not know. This comes more naturally to some people than others, but it is a skill that can be cultivated. The easiest way is probably to join an activity group in something that you have a interest in – walking, dancing, diy, learning a language – the choice is endless, and best of all you already have a common interest with these people. You will naturally start to talk about your common interest, and then it’s a small step to suggest a coffee afterwards, or to meet up in the holidays when there are no classes. Alternatively just start being friendly to people who you meet in your normal life. A friendly smile and ‘good morning’ on a regular basis can be enough to break the ice. Travelling by train or bus can be a great opportunity to start a conversation, and when you see that person again, it will be like meeting an old friend. If you feel shy or awkward ask yourself ‘what’s the worst thing that can happen?’ Probably that they don’t want to talk back. Most people , however will be polite, so there’s no need for any embarrassment, and if they are not polite you don’t want to be friends with them anyway. So what have you got to lose? Re-start your social life now! Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Pat Donbavand is a retired primary school teacher. She is married with two adult children and one lovely granddaughter. Pat is compiling her own website www.livinganactiveretirement.com |
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