Making friends as an adult can be challenging. Perhaps it’s part of why we’re experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. So, how do you navigate trying to solidify new friendships in a big city like Houston? Summer is a great time to get out of your comfort zone and make some new friends. I have tips for you below!
Find a Group Activity
I love to cook and I love to eat. That’s why I used to take myself to local cooking classes when I was in college (way back in the mesozoic era). The structure of group activities cuts through social awkwardness like a hot knife through butter. It’s also a great way to meet new people with similar interests.
- 🥘 Take a cooking class: Sign up for a class at Central Market’s Cooking School, where you can learn how to make empanadas, Barcelona barbecue, and French cheeses. This summer at Sur La Table, cook up fresh pasta, delicious Thai dishes, and homemade pies.
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Join an org:
Go on a hot girl walk with City Girls Who Walk, a weekly walking group for women in Houston. Check out CoolxDad, a non-profit that provides support and gatherings for fathers of color. There are plenty of Meetup groups to join in Houston too! Some interesting options include: The Woodlands Explorers, Hard To Make Friends As An Adult, and Traveling Sistas. If you love to read, there are tons of local book clubs to join through bookstores. - ⛹️
Get active: F3 Houston offers free, peer-led workouts for men.Relive your middle school glory days with an adult kickball league. The city of Houston also organizes adult sports leagues for basketball, volleyball, flag football, and other sports. Houston Metropolitan Dance Center offers all types of dance classes for beginners and experienced dancers.
Volunteer With A Local Organization
Volunteering for local organizations is undoubtedly a great way to give back to your community — the friends you make along the way are a nice bonus. I met one of my good friends during a volunteer painting event at an elementary school years ago. Here are some volunteer opportunities to get you started.
- 🙋 Join Junior League of Houston, an organization for women, who participate in volunteer opportunities across the city. Want more info? A volunteer with the org shares her experience.
- 🙋 Meet fellow nature-minded individuals and keep Buffalo Bayou clean through their volunteer program.
- 🙋 Do you love animals? Spend time with your favorite little ones and meet fellow animal lovers while you volunteer at BARC, the city’s animal shelter.
Do you need more recs on how to make friends? Here are more ways to meet people in Houston and tips for getting out of your comfort zone this summer 👋
