How often do you celebrate your friendships? With today’s social tools—from Facebook to cell phones—it’s likely that you don’t even see your friends as much as you’d like (or at least as much as you once did), let alone celebrate them. When was the last time you had a night out with the guys, a day away with the girls? If you’re like me, you probably can’t even remember.
In honor of Old Friends, New Friends Week, how about we all take a few moments to honor our friendships—and perhaps even make new friends? I’m not talking about friending a few random people on Facebook because you belong to the same “Against wearing bracelets and legwarmers and scarves in August but totally okay with beanies!” fan page; I mean actual, real friendships that have nothing to do with typing.
If you can’t remember how to make friends—or to hang out with the ones you already have (and you’re not alone)—here are a few activities you could pen in on your schedule this week.
Call people. No texting allowed. What a revolutionary concept! You will have to use your voice, as well as listen to a response rather than wait for your phone to buzz at you. But it could be fun. In preparation, memorize a couple of jokes. If all else fails, talk about the weather. if you’re calling a good friend (which means you probably already call him or her regularly), express how much he or she means to you. You could also send a handwritten card for this purpose (yes, send a card instead of an email; who doesn’t love to get cards?).
Talk to a sort-of stranger. You know who I’m talking about—the mailman, the guy who’s always at the coffee shop or the playground, the girl who always smiles when bagging your groceries or fixing your car (yet again). Stop and say hello to the people you see but don’t really know. Ask for their names. Make a human connection. (If you are five, this suggestion is null and void.)
Throw a mixer. Remember these parties? Have one your way by inviting a bunch of people over for any or no reason—it’s Thursday, it’s purple day, you want to celebrate your new haircut, whatever—and ask them each to bring a friend you don’t know. You can instantly double your friend base!
