How to be a Social Butterfly

Oprah Winfrey once said, “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”

As a teenager, it can be difficult to make genuine friends. With gossip, cliques, and stereotypes in high school, trustworthy and reliable friends can be hard to find. Remember, though, that you are not alone. Friends come in all different types and can be found in many places. Look for the true friends that better your life. To get started finding these true friends, follow the tips below:

Get involved

By joining a sports team or an extracurricular club, you will meet other individuals with common interests. You do not have to be an expert; just go to the activities with an open mind and a desire to learn. Religious organizations often have clubs and ministries for youth to bond over their common religious faith, or consider volunteering in your community to meet other caring individuals. As you volunteer, you will meet others who share a passion for helping a common cause. By getting involved in different activities, you will have the opportunity to meet others and create a common bond.

Talk, talk, talk

In order to make new friends, you have to get to know them. The best way to do that is by talking. Start a conversation with anyone you meet. You will get to know them and see if the connection is right. When talking, make eye contact and smile to show the other person that you are friendly. Be approachable. Common conversation starters include complimenting the other individual, offering help or assistance, discussing what brought you to where you are, or even making small talk about things like the weather.

Keep the conversation light and cheery as you get to know one another, and stay positive and listen to the other person as they speak. The more you talk to another individual, the more your friendship will grow, and the stronger it will become.

Be a good friend

Friendship, like any relationship, is a two way street. Both individuals should be active and responsive to one another, so do your part in the friendship by initiating get-togethers, remembering birthdays and special events, and asking the other person how they are doing. As a friend, you should be loyal, trustworthy, reliable, and a good listener. Simply put, show the same characteristics that you would expect in a friend. Never pressure an individual into being your friend, as friendships should be genuine and natural.

Be open and optimistic about making new friends. Look for genuine, trustworthy individuals with which you share a common bond or similar interests. Do not hide yourself from the rest of the world; instead, make an effort to get out there and start building new and exciting friendships.