When you’re in your seventies or older, it can be tough to make new friends. It’s not like when you were younger and just starting in life—you don’t have the energy or the time for meetings, socializing events, and nights out on the town. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have to go through life without companionship! Here are some tips to make new friends in our retirement community in New Albany, OH.
Don’t Wait for the Perfect Moment
It’s tempting to wait for the perfect moment — a party or social event, perhaps — before striking up conversations with your fellow residents. But don’t put it off! It might not come. Instead, take every opportunity to make small talk with people you don’t know and ask them how they are doing. Ask about their day if you pass them in the hallway or elevator. If you’re at a large gathering of people and feel awkward approaching someone new, try taking along an icebreaker question like “What’s your favorite thing about living here?”
Know Your Interests
Before you approach others, consider what you’re looking for in a friend. If you’re an avid bird watcher, perhaps other residents share this interest. If you enjoy sewing or knitting, other retirees may also want these pastimes.
Asking yourself questions like these can help guide your search for new friends: What interests me? What hobbies do I have? What passions do I pursue? What are my political beliefs and religious beliefs?
Figure Out What You are Looking for in a Friendship
When deciding what type of friendship you are looking for, consider what you can offer the other person. You may have a lot to give or not much. For example, if you’re an avid reader and enjoy discussing books with others, then this may be something that your new friend will find exciting and beneficial. On the other hand, if all they want is someone to watch TV with, then this might not be something that interests them as much. It’s important not to assume that everyone has the same motivations and desires when it comes to friendships so try not to judge anyone based on their personality or lifestyle choices – even if they seem very different from yours!
Keep An Open Mind
Keep an open mind about your new friends and acquaintances. Don’t be too quick to dismiss someone you don’t know well, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember that everyone is different, so don’t expect people who are neighbors or share a hobby with you to act the same as you would in similar situations.
The key is being open-minded when meeting new people (or even old friends) at retirement communities. If they invite you over for dinner or want to get together on the weekends, say yes! You never know what may come out of these interactions until it happens, so take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.
Take things One At a Time
While you don’t have to be best friends with everyone, and it’s okay to eventually move on from a friendship that isn’t working out, you should aim to create a solid foundation for future friendships. No one wants to be dragged into an awkward relationship (or friendship) and then realize that things aren’t going well.
Don’t take rejection personally if someone doesn’t want to talk or hang out with you. They may not be interested in getting to know anyone else right now, or maybe they’re having a bad day, but there will always be another chance! You never know who might change their mind later on down the road!
It can take time for people who are new in town or just not used to living on their own anymore with other retirees before they feel comfortable enough around others to make some new friends. If you try too hard or push yourself into someone else’s life without letting them get used first, it could backfire by ruining any chance of being invited over again by the person you were trying so hard with when they already felt uncomfortable around other residents at first, anyway! Be patient but persistent at the same time as well.
Learn to Be a Good Listener
When trying to make friends with your neighbor, it’s essential to know how to listen without offering too many opinions.
Listening is a crucial part of making friends—it shows that you’re interested in what the other person is saying, and it helps you understand the other person’s point of view. Listening also enables you to learn more about the other person and see where their interests lie.
Have Fun
Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself. It’s better to say something goofy and learn from the experience than keep your mouth shut and regret the missed opportunity.
Join Our Welcoming Retirement Community
If you’re nervous about joining a retirement community, take heart—you aren’t alone. It can be hard to make friends later in life, and many people struggle with the idea of joining group activities or social events when their only experience has been with work or family. But if you approach it from the right angle and make yourself open to new connections, you’ll find yourself well on your way towards making those lifelong friendships that everyone wants. Keep an open mind about your new friends and acquaintances, learn to take things slow (especially if this is all new territory for you), and remember that no one expects perfection when making connections! To learn more about our retirement community, contact us today!
