Everyone needs friends. Essential friendship is the foundation of any positive relationship that you will ever have. A great friend can help you evolve with the changes in your life, encourage you to love yourself, and even tell you all about yourself when you are in the wrong (if that were ever to happen).

Having friends can also increase your immunity to disease and support you as you move towards your goals. A supportive and compassionate group of friends can help you through any transition midlife tosses in your way and give you hope for the future. And that's not all. The benefits of friendship are numerous and essential for you to live your best, happiest life. Let's find some friends!

The Benefits of Midlife Friendship

The benefits of friendship go far beyond giving you someone to hang with. Friendship, especially during midlife, is hard to describe in words. Still, it generally refers to people who trust each other and have fun with each other. Friendship is significant and, as Maya Angelou says in her poem, Alone:

I came up with one thing

And I don't believe I'm wrong

That nobody,

But nobody

Can make it out here alone.

As we find a partner, raise our children, and succeed in our careers, we can get so busy that we fail to keep up with our friends, who probably did the same. Unfortunately, growing apart is natural and a part of aging.

So whether you disagree on current politics or personal morals or have just realized that neither enjoys the other, friendships can and do end. We can't replace lost friends, but we can make new friends who understand who we are now. And none of us, nobody, can make it out here alone.

You may consider your romantic partner your friend, which is terrific. Still, we do need friends outside our romantic relationships. We can't complain about our partner leaving their underwear all over the floor to our actual partner; that could start a fight. We need someone outside our relationship to confide in.

Other benefits of friendship include:

Emotional Support
Physical Support
Honesty
Enduring Fun
Sharing Secrets
Encouragement
No Judgment
Social Growth
Sense of Purpose and Meaning

Having close and non-judgemental friends can also help decrease anxiety. Emotional support is necessary. A good friend listens and tries to give great advice. For example, a great friend will help you develop a positive and constructive way to talk to your partner about their underwear on the floor so that you don't insult them or start a fight. An excellent friend will be your workout partner to ensure that you stick with the program and meet your fitness goals. They will also help drive you home after your next colonoscopy and tell you if your butt looks fantastic in those jeans!

Friendship gives you purpose and increases your quality of life by adding meaning. We are needed, just as we need them, which feels great. But how do we find friends outside of work? Can we make friends that have nothing to do with our children? Let's go over some tips.

Tips for Finding Friends Midlife

Making and maintaining friendships seems so much easier when you are younger, but that doesn't mean it has to be difficult now, in middle age. Finding our friends and our group of kindred spirits was much more accessible in school because we spent most of our time around the same people. So, how do we do this midlife? What can we do, and where can we go to find great friends at our age?

Step outside your comfort zone.

Confidentially introduce yourself first and guide the conversation. Other people our age may be just as nervous as you are.

Accept more invitations.

Accept invitations instead of turning them down because you would rather stay home. (The struggle is real).

Put real effort into building a positive relationship.

Build relationships with acquaintances. We can easily overlook people due to our busy lives. Slow down a little.

Plan some group activities.

Plan activities such as a party or field trip to a local coffee shop. Invite people that you wish you knew better.

Keep yourself open to friendships with neighbors.

Smile, be friendly, and be open to speaking with anyone you find intriguing. Kindness and compassion go a long way.

Volunteer

Try volunteering at a church, a hospital, or a school. If volunteering is your thing, meeting others who love volunteering would help you build friendships.

Find a hobby that you love to do.

Take a class, or teach one. Learn a new skill, practice one you have already mastered, or share your knowledge with others who are interested.

The most important thing you can do for yourself now is always to be open to new experiences.

Having friends gives us a break from our everyday lives and encourages us to be the best version of ourselves.

Not sure even what you like or how you are anymore?

This is very common among us in midlife.

Coaching is also an excellent way to find your purpose and learn to focus on achieving that purpose. Midlife Mindset Coaching gives you the self-confidence you need to go out and make new friends.

Now is the time to embrace yourself and create the life you want to live.

Now is your time! Any ideas on how you want to spend it? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Maybe you’ll find a new friend by putting yourself out there.

7 Tips to Finding Midlife Friends