15 Ways To Make Better Friends
Did you know that you are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with? Now, that's hardly a surprise, considering humans are social creatures. We have evolved to fit literally anywhere. But there's a catch: if you are surrounded by average people, there is a high chance you are also going to think and act average. That's why some choose to leave their comfort zone and seek to improve their lives by looking for better friends and relationships.
Okay, we got this figured out, but how do we make better friends? Well, you have come to the right place, Alexa, because we are about to answer this very question. Grab a drink and let's explore this subject together. Here are 15 ways to make better friends. Welcome to alux.com, the place where future billionaires come to get inspired.
Number one: become a high-value person. First and foremost, before you go out there and try to make better friends, make sure you've done the work on yourself and become a high-value person. Otherwise, you won't find much success. Yes, you can fake it until you make it, but guess what? High-quality people will figure it out eventually, and they're going to ghost you. You don't want to regret that later down the line, so do the work on yourself. Gear up with proper values and then embody the character that you are looking for in others. Understanding this is a prerequisite for making better friends and living a social life of abundance.
Number two: join a club or organization. This is without a doubt the best way to make better friends. Clubs or organizations are most commonly designed to help like-minded individuals connect and pursue a common goal. True friendships are built on a strong foundation, which can exist only if those individuals share the same values. Finding a club or organization that values the same things as you do and joining is a sure way of finding people you resonate with. The bigger the city you live in, the more options you have.
Number three: leave your hometown. Leaving your hometown can be hard; that's where your family and childhood friends usually live, so it's justified to feel attached. But the world is much bigger than that. There is a whole universe out there waiting to be explored. Leaving your hometown is not only a call to adventure, but a necessary step in any individual's development. It forces you to leave your comfort zone, meet new people, and explore new ways of living. Suffice it to say, it's also a great way to make better friends if you are not satisfied with the quality of people from your hometown circle. This is the best tip we can offer you.
Number four: rent a room in a hostel when traveling. Next time you travel, don't rent an Airbnb or a room in a hotel. If you want to meet new and exciting people, pick a hostel room instead, especially if you are an extrovert. Just make sure that the place you pick is nice, safe, and has good reviews. If you read them, what you will find is that a lot of people make long-lasting friendships and become traveling buddies after they meet each other there. This practice is deeply rooted in any hostel's culture. In fact, if you are curious to meet people from all sorts of cultures and backgrounds, a hostel is the way to go. Some people even choose to live inside one specifically for this reason.
When you go to a hotel, everybody is minding their own business, and it's highly unlikely they want to interact with you anyway. The vibe in a hostel is the exact opposite. When you move inside one, if you don't go present yourself and greet other people, you are the weird one. So if you enjoy traveling a lot and you are looking for better and more exciting friends, pick a room in a hostel instead.
Number five: go to college. The experience of going to college is one of a kind. You meet a lot of new people, get the chance of joining fraternities, and it's just an all-around fun time. Many young people look forward to this stage of their life because they are excited to make new and better friends. It's the perfect opportunity to step up your social skills, grow friendships that could last for decades, and maybe even meet potential business partners. Besides that, you have the opportunity to participate in student exchange programs and collaborate on projects. This creates the context where you will get to know a ton of people. So if you are young and prefer going for a more traditional path, going to college in order to make better friends is a great idea. Just don't forget about your assignments.
Number six: join a DAO. Now, this is a concept that probably most of you have never heard before. DAOs, or decentralized autonomous organizations, are a new type of organizational structure built on top of blockchain technology. That's the most common definition out there, and it will do for now because people have yet to define them properly. It's a new and disruptive concept. There are many types of DAOs out there created for different purposes, but the general theme is that people join DAOs because they have a common goal or mission. Whether we are talking about friends with benefits, which brings the cultural creators of Web 3 together, or Cabin, a group of online creators building a decentralized city IRL, one thing is certain: DAOs are a great way to make new and better friends, because they are designed to bring like-minded individuals together in the pursuit of a common goal. If blockchain technology is the future, DAOs will surely be a big part of the story.
Number seven: expand your field of expertise. Let's face it, humans are complicated. We are passionate about different things, listen to different music styles, and study different fields and crafts. We mentioned this a few times already, but we'll say it one more time: people connect best when they share a passion for something or have common goals. So, naturally, the wider your field of expertise is, the easier it becomes to spark a conversation with someone and have a great exchange of opinions on a subject. This is an obvious advantage of being a jack of all trades. If you have nothing to say, how can you connect and socialize with someone? You can see how this becomes an obvious advantage. So if you want to make better friends, be curious and make sure your general knowledge is on point.
Number eight: figure out your personality type. Yes, we know each person is unique, but if you are passionate about psychology and self-development, you've certainly heard about the 16 personalities test before. If not, open up a new tab right now and search for MBTI personality tests on Google. Once you are done with the video, go through the test and, very importantly, take your time to answer honestly. The test is designed to help you identify your personality type and explain certain aspects of your behavior that you have never thought about before and just took for granted, all thanks to decades of research done by psychologists—and it's all for free. You're welcome! What's cool about MBTI tests is that they also tell you which personalities you resonate with the most based on your levels of introversion and extroversion, so you can get an idea of why you enjoy the presence of some people more than others. Suffice it to say that knowing yourself and your personality will help you in identifying and connecting with better friends. People often put their personality types on dating apps and social media, so you can even consider that. And once you are done with the test, come back and tell us what personality type you are—we are curious to know how many Elixirs have done it.
Number nine: be proactive. Being static or passive is a bad thing for your social life in general. Just study how social butterflies act when they are around other people. "Passive" is certainly not the right word to describe them. People who have high and positive energy are a gold mine, and they are masters at forging long-lasting friendships because people simply feel good in their presence. They lift you up, come up with great and fun initiatives, and are always there to support you in your endeavors. So if you want to make better friends, consider becoming more proactive and ensure people feel good in your presence.
Number ten: go to places that connect with your interests. The contacts and places you put yourself in every day matter. If you don't go to places or events that connect with your interests, how do you expect to meet people that are passionate about the same things as you? It's as simple as that! If you are passionate about art, go to museums and art galleries. If you love rock music, go to a concert or rock festival. The likelihood that you will meet new and exciting people will increase tremendously.
Number eleven: attend networking events. Now, networking events are more suited for business owners and entrepreneurs in general, but there are situations when you can actually create a bond during a networking session that can, in time, turn into a great friendship. Naturally, networking events are designed to bring together professionals that activate in the same industry. The incentives are most of the time financial, but that doesn't exclude the possibility to make better friends. In fact, mutual interest is a good starting point in building a great friendship. But there is a chance that if the incentive is gone, the connection is severed. But all in all, it's a great place to meet new and, very importantly, smart individuals.
Number twelve: volunteer. Volunteering is one of those things that many of us don't do enough of. Besides the psychological well-being and meaning that it offers as a reward, volunteering on a project is a great way to make better friends. That's the case because volunteers obviously care more about others and humanitarian causes in general than about their egos. And that's the kind of people you want to have around. Have you ever seen a toxic person who is also a volunteer? We certainly have not.
Number thirteen: join a gym or practice a sport. Joining a gym or practicing a sport can be a great way to meet new people who share your interest in health and wellness. By attending classes or participating in group fitness activities, you can connect with people who are passionate about staying active and healthy. Additionally, working out with others can help motivate you and make your workouts more enjoyable. You can even form workout partnerships or support groups to help you stay on track with your fitness goals. Overall, joining a gym or practicing a sport, like BJJ for example, can be a great way to expand your social circle and make new friends who share your interests.
Number fourteen: try a new hobby or activity. Trying a new hobby or activity can be a great way to meet new people who share your interests and passions. By pursuing something you're interested in, you can connect with others who have similar hobbies and interests. For example, if you're interested in photography, you could join a local photography club or take a class. Your determination is the limit here, Alexa! Additionally, trying a new hobby or activity can also be a great way to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone. This can help you grow and develop as a person, and it can also lead to new and exciting experiences. Overall, trying a new hobby or activity can be a fun and rewarding way to meet new people and explore your interests.
Number fifteen: go to a chill coffee shop or bar. Going to a bar or coffee shop and striking up a conversation with someone can be a great way to meet new people in a relaxed and informal setting. Bars and coffee shops are often places where people go to socialize and unwind, so they can be a great pick to meet new people. When you're at a bar or coffee shop, try to strike up a conversation with someone who looks interesting or approachable. You could start by asking for a recommendation for a drink or food item, or you could simply introduce yourself and ask the person how their day is going. Be friendly and open and try to be interested in the other person. This can help you make a connection and potentially form a new friendship. Keep in mind that not everyone will be interested in talking to you, so don't take it personally; just move on and keep trying to meet new people. You will eventually find someone cool to hang around with.
And that's all for today, Eluxer! What are, in your opinion, the best ways to make better friends? We are eager to hear your thoughts. And while you're at it, make sure to also tell us the context in which you met your best friend. It surely is a cool story, so why not share it with us and the other fellow Eluxers? And because you've made it this far into the video, here's a bonus:
Number sixteen: listen more than you talk. If you want to create better friendships and everlasting bonds, be there for people and, most importantly, listen more than you talk. When someone is talking to you, it's important to give them your full attention and try to understand their perspective. This means setting aside any distractions, such as your phone or other tasks, and focusing on the person in front of you. It also means actively listening to what they are saying rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. By showing that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say, you can build a deeper connection with your friend and help them feel heard and valued. Additionally, being a good listener can help you to better understand your friends and provide support when they need it.
We hope you enjoyed this video, Eluxer, as much as we did making it. Don't forget to tip us with a like for the YouTube algorithm, and if you are hungry for more, check out this video. As always, see you tomorrow. Thanks for spending some time with us today, Alexa! We're so glad you did. If you found value in today's video, please give us a like, hit that bell icon to never miss an upload, and hey, don't forget to subscribe!