CONNECTIONS

Making Friends in Your 20s and 30s

Claudia Tung

Jan 28, 2019 • 7 min read

"So tough to meet new friends after graduating..."
"Always caught in a bubble. Office work. Gym. Home."
"Would love to meet like-minded people...but not using dating or hookup apps."

As we navigate through our 20s and 30s, establishing and maintaining meaningful friendships becomes increasingly important for our emotional well-being and happiness. However, making new friends as an adult can often feel challenging and intimidating, especially as we juggle work, relationships, and personal growth. But fear not – fostering connections with like-minded individuals is still possible and even easier when you share common interests and values.

Short for Broccoli & Dumbbells, BrocnBells.com is a social platform to meet new people over health & fitness. Discover like-minded people who share your lifestyle, a common interest for sweat & eating well, and are interested in checking out similar gym and healthy cafe hangouts as you - even while travelling.

The main ways to make friends as an adult we've identified are. You can click on each of them to read more.

Attend interest-based groups or meetups
Engage in group fitness activities
Volunteer for a cause
Join professional networks
Enroll in classes or workshops
Leverage social media
Utilize friendship apps
Attend cultural and social events
Connect through shared living arrangements
Making friends in Hong Kong
Making friends in Singapore

Make new friends through interest-based groups or meetups

Attending interest-based meetups is a fantastic way to make new friends in your 20s and 30s. Participating in local groups on platforms like Meetup.com allows you to discover various activities and events tailored to your passions and hobbies. This could range from book clubs, and photography walks to hiking expeditions and cooking classes. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your interests not only makes it easier to strike up conversations and form connections but also ensures that you're building friendships on a solid foundation of common ground. Engaging with others in these enjoyable activities will create lasting memories and strengthen your social circle.

Meet new people through fitness activities

Group fitness activities are an excellent way to make friends in your 20s and 30s while prioritizing your health and well-being. By participating in team sports, running clubs, or exercise classes, you can connect with others who share your fitness goals and aspirations. These shared experiences foster a sense of camaraderie, allowing you to support and motivate one another as you work towards your objectives. Additionally, exercising with others can make workouts more enjoyable and help keep you accountable, further enhancing your chances of forming strong, lasting friendships. The mutual encouragement and teamwork experienced in group fitness activities can create a strong bond that extends beyond the gym or sports field.

If you live in a city where Brocnbells is active, it is an easy way to discover interesting fitness activities and meet like-minded people keen to try them.

Find new friends while volunteering

Volunteering for a cause is a meaningful and fulfilling way to make new friends in your adulthood. By getting involved in community service projects, charity events, or non-profit organizations, you can meet individuals who share your values and commitment to giving back. Working together towards a common goal fosters a sense of unity and camaraderie, making it easier to build meaningful connections. Volunteering also allows you to develop new skills, expand your network, and better understand the issues affecting your community. Dedicating your time and effort to helping others will create strong bonds with like-minded people, enriching your social life while positively impacting the world.

Tap on professional networks to make friends

Joining professional networks is a valuable strategy for making new friends after you've entered work life, as it enables you to connect with peers in your industry who share similar career goals and interests. By attending industry events, seminars, workshops, or conferences, you can expand your professional circle and establish relationships with like-minded individuals. Networking in a professional context not only provides opportunities for career growth and learning but also allows you to engage in meaningful conversations about shared experiences and challenges. These connections can evolve into genuine friendships based on mutual support and understanding, making your work life more enjoyable and socially rewarding.

Attend classes or workshops

Enrolling in classes or workshops is an engaging way to make friends in your 20s and 30s while exploring new hobbies or developing existing interests. By signing up for activities such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or language courses, you can connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for learning and self-improvement. Classes and workshops provide a structured environment where you can interact with others, collaborate, and exchange ideas, making it easy to form connections and engage in meaningful conversations. As you learn and grow together, you'll build friendships based on mutual interests and a shared desire for personal growth, enriching your social circle and broadening your horizons.

Leveraging social media to make new friends in your 20s and 30s can be an effective and accessible approach to expanding your social circle. By engaging with local interest groups on Facebook or following community pages on Instagram, you can discover events, gatherings, and activities happening in your area that align with your interests. Social media platforms also provide opportunities to interact with others who share your passions, making it easy to initiate conversations and build connections. Don't be afraid to comment on posts, join discussions, or even create your own content to showcase your interests and personality. By actively participating in online communities, you'll increase your chances of forming meaningful friendships with like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm and zest for life.

Use friendship apps

Utilizing friendship apps is an increasingly popular and convenient way to make new friends while building your career. Platforms like Brocnbells or Bumble BFF allow you to connect with people in your area who share similar interests, values, and lifestyles. These apps provide a safe and curated space for users to build connections based on mutual compatibility, making it easier to find potential friends who complement your personality and preferences. By creating a profile and engaging with others through in-app messaging, you can initiate conversations and plan meetups or activities that cater to your shared interests. Embracing friendship apps as a tool for social connection can help you broaden your social circle and form meaningful relationships with like-minded individuals in your adult years.

For extroverts, attending cultural and social events in your community is a fantastic way to make new friends in your 20s and 30s while enriching your cultural experiences. By exploring local galleries, museums, concerts, or food festivals, you can connect with people who share your interests in arts, music, or cuisine. These events provide a relaxed and engaging atmosphere for striking up conversations and forming connections based on shared passions. As you immerse yourself in the cultural offerings of your community, you'll have the opportunity to expand your horizons, learn about different perspectives, and create lasting memories with new friends. Regularly participating in such events can help you establish a strong network of like-minded individuals and foster a vibrant social life.

Connect with new friends over shared living arrangements

Connecting through shared living arrangements is a practical approach to making new friends when moving out of your childhood home. By considering co-living spaces, shared apartments, or even house-sharing arrangements, you can build relationships with roommates or neighbors who may share similar interests and values. Living in close proximity fosters opportunities for casual conversations, shared meals, and joint activities that help form strong bonds over time. Being open and approachable can create a sense of community and friendship within your living space. These connections can serve as a foundation for your social circle in your adult years, providing support, companionship, and a sense of belonging as you navigate the challenges and joys of life.

Making Friends in Hong Kong

1. Find places to practice your hobbies

Whether taking cooking classes, joining a book club, a local rugby, dragonboat or football team, Hong Kong has everything you need to practice your hobbies. If you join a team sport or meditation class consistently enough, you will start seeing familiar faces. Don’t be afraid to chat with other regulars and get to know them!

Connecting over a common interest such as nutrition, sustainability or weekend hikes is perfect as you already have a shared topic to talk about. This can help ease the shyness and introvert in you. Chances are that you will be able to discover more things in common!

2. Enjoy some drinks at LKF

Since the iconic Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) is actually quite small and compact, if you do head out to LKF with some people, there are high chances that your friends will run into other people they know. This is a great way to meet people and have a fun time!

3. Take part in networking events and weekend festivals

Hong Kong is a city that is never short of events to attend. Whether it is a week night FinTech panel, or weekend music & wellness festival, browse lifestyle platforms like Sassy HK, Green Queen and Time Out to discover what is happening near you.

Making Friends in Singapore

1. Find opportunities to expand on your hobbies

Much like Hong Kong, Singapore is a great place to practice your hobbies. There are many fitness events you can join, arts & crafts workshops, and gyms you can visit to meet like-minded people while doing things you love!

Singapore is a relatively small country, so the social circles can be pretty connected. If you do not know anyone in the city yet, another new-age way can be connecting with someone via Instagram who shares your interests.

3. Explore the city with other food lovers

Using food as a reason to hang out with acquaintances and friends is a perfect way to get to know people in Singapore.

Food forms a huge part of Singapore's culture. Home to many cultures, Singapore prides itself on having a huge variety of great food, from hawker centers to Michelin-star restaurants.

Bonding over food is a great way to make friends and increase intimacy between people because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love eating?

Our take? Whether fitness, music, or food is your go-to, find people that can fit in your lifestyle. So you can sustain your friendships and not find them a chore. Find your fit - in your 20s or 30s.

We love discovering the fitness activity options and communities each city has to offer. To connect with others who enjoy living healthy and eating well. What better way to connect than over a good, challenging, sweaty workout? It's a win-win situation as even if you two do not click, you would still have completed your healthy activity.

With BrocnBells.com, you can discover healthy hangouts and meet new people who share a passion for health & fitness, even while traveling.