How To Build Social Networks -CatchyFreebies

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As faithful readers of the CatchyFreebies blog you now know the physical, emotional, and mental benefits of being social. (Catch up here if you missed that post.) It’s important all around to have social interactions, but it can sometimes be hard to find other people, depending on your personality and on your situation. Since it’s so good for you, it’s worth stretching a little to find opportunities for socializing, and here’s a list of some ways to build new social networks:

Volunteer. Do something good for yourself while you help others.
Take a class. This is a good one because you’ll find yourself in a group of people who share interests with you.
Book club. Book clubs are great for socializing and expanding your mind. Join an existing book club or start your own.
Community activities. Learn about these from your local paper or from signs around the neighborhood.
Accept invitations. It’s sometimes very tempting to just go home and hang out with Netflix, but you should push yourself to accept invitations now and then.
Be friendly. Say hello to the person standing next to you in line, or the barista who makes your coffee.
Meet people through friends. If you want to expand your social circle, having your friends introduce you to people they know is a good way. You won’t be meeting total strangers, which may make it easier for you.
Religious settings. Go to a nearby church, mosque, or synagogue to meet people who have similar values to yours.
Other parents. If you have kids, they can be a great “tool” for making new connections. Strike up a conversation with other parents in the playground, join the PTA, or invite other parents to join you for coffee.
Neighbors. Some people live their whole lives without knowing their neighbors, which is a pity. Friends in your neighborhood can be a great source of camaraderie and support.
Family get-togethers. It’s a sad part of the way we live today that we don’t spend enough time with family. One way around that is to schedule a regular family gathering once a month.
At the gym. Make new friends at the gym, or sign up for sports activities.