Friendship Month: Make a Few Friends This Month

by Cherie Burbach

One of my favorite months is September. The turning of the leaves, the colder weather, and the focus on friends. September is friendship month, but it’s also the time I most think about my friends. I remember old pals from school since this was the time you got to see your friends again after a long summer when you did your own thing. I remember the excitement of starting school again and making new friends.

As an adult, we have to work harder to continually have new friends in our lives. Did you know that studies suggest we replace half our friends every seven years? That’s because friendships are fluid and changing. You might drift from some people and get closer to others.

For many of us, we need to actively make friends. It isn’t the same as when we were kids. But the good news is that it’s easy to do this time of year. Here are some ideas for reaching out to meet new people.

Bowling League

Indoor sports like bowling start up in September and go through the winter months. They're fun and an easy way to make new friends. The best part? You don't need to have athletic skill in order to participate.

Bowling is good for a couple looking to make friends or for someone who just wants to add to their social circle. Choose a league that goes for several weeks so you'll have more opportunity to chat with people.

Bible Groups

I think meeting friends in a Bible group setting is one of the best ways to connect. Our local group takes the summer off and then starts up again in October, and when they start up new people always join. This allows you to get to know someone at the heart of who they are, and is a great way to lift someone up and show them the kind of love that Jesus commanded. You’ll be praying for each other and sharing details of your life that help people get to know you on more than just a casual level.

Football Games and Parties

Where I’m from, football is BIG. (Hello Packers!) And the great thing is that the football season brings with it a variety of ways to make new friends. Fans who are really into the sport can join a fantasy football league and compete against others in designing their dream team.

If you're lucky enough to get tickets to a game, even better. You can make new friends by tailgating and chatting with the other folks around you.

But even those who aren't fanatics can benefit from football season. Bars and sports centers often host football parties, where a group of people watch the game on the big screen. The trick, if you're not really into football, is to at catch up on some sports-related small talk so you can carry on a conversation with the people around you.

Take a Class

Taking a class is one of my favorite ways to make new friends. I guess it’s because it makes me think of the old days in going back to school. I like to think about all those things I put on my to-do list that are “one day” items… like, one day I will learn a new language, one day I’m going to try golfing… things like that.

Take that “one day” list and look for opportunities to try something new out. Nearly every community has classes at their library or rec center, Meetup, or book groups looking for new people. Dig through the local college flyer to see if there are non-credited courses you can take, or classes at places like Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

I’ve found that the best way to form friendships from these ideas is to make conversation and get to know people. Be open and figure out what you might have in common. Some of this may feel weird to you (especially if you’re an introvert like me) but you won’t regret taking those first steps out of your comfort zone when you find a friend you cherish.

If you’re looking for even more ideas on making (and keeping friends) please check out my book, 100 Simple Ways to Have More Friends.

Cherie Burbach is a poet, mixed media artist, and freelance writer specializing in lifestyle and relationships. She has penned and contributed to articles for Readers Digest, Family Circle, About.com, NBC/Universal, Match.com, Christianity Today, and more. Her latest book is: Art and Faith: Mixed Media Art With a Faith-Filled Message. Visit her website for more info, cherieburbach.com.


Leave a comment on every Chirp 'N Chatter Friendship post in September for a chance to win the fantastic virtual gift basket! (See the 09/01/2016 Gift Basket post.)