Making Friends as "An Introvert"

Friendships are as important to your social life as drinking water is to your body and these ties can help conquer stress and make you a better person. However, if you are an introvert, making friends would not be as easier to you as it is to others.

Who is an introvert?

The definition of an introvert is someone who is generally shy and prefers solitary activities for interacting with large groups of people. If you would rather work through your feelings and emotions by spending time alone than have a conversation with someone, then you are an introvert.

It can be difficult to admit to yourself that you may be an introvert as most often, it is wrongly assumed that introverts are people who don’t like people. However, contrary to the stigma, introverts can be warm, interested in others and powerful in their own right. Even with introversion, humans are social beings and require friends and have fun from time to time.

If you are introvert, you probably don’t know how to make friends. It may be a mystery to you how others meet and make friends with new people while you feel as if there is an invisible barrier between you and the fun that others are having.

However, it is perfectly normal. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert. It can be challenging sometimes but you can still make friends and socialize while also accepting and living your life as an introvert. 

FOLLOW THE TIPS LISTED BELOW TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN MAKE FRIENDS AS AN INTROVERT

Approach the People You Already Know

As an introvert, you don’t want to be friends with just anyone and everyone. You would have to be selective as you do not have as much energy to give as extroverts. It is better to approach the people who you meet frequently in your classroom or at work as they are the ones you are most familiar with.

Adjust Your Expectations and Be Patient

Friendships take time. When going out, do not expect to be friends with the people you are meeting straightaway. Step out with the mindset that you are about to meet your classmates or co-workers and it is okay if they don’t get you on your first get-together.

Make the First Move

Usually, being the first to smile or say hello would be a daunting thought to introverts (sometimes to extroverts also). It can fill you with self-doubt, nervousness and questions such as “What if they don’t like me?” are sure to cross your mind a thousand times.

The feeling of rejection is not pleasant and it would discourage you to make any moves further. But it is important to understand that you would not get friends delivered at your doorstep. If you want to make friends in the real world, you would have to take action.

Social Media as an Advantage

Our world is rapidly making technological advancements and this era of digitalization is an advantage to introverts. Making friends on Social Media is very easy these days and being active on your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts can help you be friends with the right people. Just make sure to not get carried away online and take care of your offline life as well.   

Be Yourself

It may seem old-fashioned advice but not being who you truly are is one of the mistakes that people make while making friends. Trying to be who you think would appeal to your friends can be really exhausting and would make you question your friendship. It may even lead to you not stepping out of your house on the day of get-togethers or even losing interest in your social life.

Ask Questions

Listening is one of the powers of introverts. It may seem an ordinary trait but every once in a while, your friends would require a shoulder to cry on or just an ear to listen to them without making a big deal out of it and who better to support them than a quiet, silence-loving person. Asking questions or initiating a conversation would let others know that you are interested in getting to know them and in turn, they would make efforts to know you as well.

Meet and Greet Regularly

Be sure to return calls and messages. You don’t have to reply to them instantly but make sure you do after you take your time. Showing up at meetings and get-togethers is very important to make friends, especially at the beginning of the process. You don’t have to show up at each and every party and congregation if it stresses you out. Be consistent and it is okay to miss a few get-togethers.

It can be difficult to make friends as an introvert. But you are in charge of your life and it totally depends on how you want to reminisce when you are in your grey hair and wrinkly skin age. Making efforts is the real deal. You may be a work in progress but keep trying. Step outside of your comfort zone as what you are comfortable with is not always what you need. Put yourself out there and watch how you can improve your life as well as be a beacon of happiness to others.