How to make friends as a grown up

We’ve lived in 5 states in the last 16 years. Moving is what we’ve become good at. But so is planting roots, even if we know those roots might be uprooted at some point.

Before our first move, a friend offered me the best advice I’ve ever received regarding moving, building life, and making friends. “When you move, live like you plan to live there forever.” In other words, develop those deep friendships, even if you know you will one day have to say goodbye.

She told me her 2 years in a particular state were hard and lonely because in the back of her mind they were never staying, so she didn’t work hard at building relationships. And relationships is what makes life rich and full. But relationships take effort, energy, and courage.

We have followed her advice. Each state we dive in like we are there forever. And here we are again in the building phase of a new state.

Today, I’m sharing ideas on how we make friends in the grown up years. Because I’m noticing a theme -people are lonely.