10 Reasons To Make New Friends This Year

As we get older, making new friends gets harder. Just because we’ve grown up doesn’t mean that meeting new people and befriending them is any less intimidating than it was in the 9th grade. Still, there are plenty of positives to adding new people to your friend group this year. Here are 10 awesome reasons to get out there and meet new people in 2016:

1. They can’t judge you for your past. Making new friends means they don’t know your baggage and your previous indiscretions. This means you can leave 2015 in the past, and not have to worry that your friends will judge you if you make the same mistakes again. It’s a clean slate, and that feels awesome.
2. New friends mean new adventures. Anytime you introduce someone new into your life, a new bunch of adventures will spring up. Maybe you’ll go to new concerts, meet your new friend’s sexy cousin , or even travel abroad. Keep an open mind, and you never know what will happen.
3. They might introduce you to their friends, too. It’s like a BOGO special! You get your new friends and their friends, too. So many friends, so little effort. What’s not to love about this arrangement?
4. They probably don’t know your ex. New friends are less likely to be friends with your exes and probably haven’t even met them. It means you don’t have to worry as much about running into him at a group get together.
5. You can choose the people you want to be friends with. It can be hard to break up with friends even when we know we need to. When you make amazing new friends, you’ll be less likely to spend time with those who aren’t adding anything positive to your life.
6. You might discover a new favorite hobby. New friends have their own lives already and their own hobbies and interests. Maybe they love to go to spin class, or to sip wine and paint. You might find that their favorite hobby is something you enjoy, too.
7. You can be the best version of yourself. Sometimes our friends’ bad habits can bring us down or wear off on us, and because it’s so hard to break up with your friends, we tend to let those bad habits stick around. Making new friends who are good to you and for you will stop those bad habits in their tracks.
8. They’ll force you out of your comfort zone. Some people really hate meeting new people, so making new friends is a great way to force yourself out of your comfort zone and try something new. Humans are social creatures, and even if you’re an introvert, there’s a group of new, perfect friends somewhere out there for you, too!
9. It’s a chance to start fresh. Sometimes our oldest friends can be constant reminders of the darkest days of our lives, and if you’re anything like me you, don’t want to keep reliving that time in your life. New friends will only know what you tell them, and you don’t have to divulge anything until you’re ready.
10. New friends can’t hurt! In general, making some new friends can’t do anything but offer up good times and new laughs. If you find that they aren’t working out for you, you don’t have to spend loads of time with them, after all. So, what are you waiting for?