13 Best Practical Ways To Making Friends As An Introvert

1. You don’t necessarily need ‘new people’.

If you think making friends as an introvert involves going out of your comfort zone, then you may never enjoy the process. Friendship for introverts should always be purpose-driven before anything else. If there’s no real value in the association, it would soon become a burden.

Therefore, the first step an introvert making friends needs to understand is how to find value in their associations. If you want to have friends merely for the sake of it, you would always need new friends. On the contrary, finding out why you need an ally helps you attach value to the association.

The definition of a friend is someone you know well, and regard with affection and trust. If there’s no one already in your life serving the purpose of a friend from afar, then adding new people to the list might be futile. The most suitable friends for introverts are individuals they already know and value. It could be a coworker, family member, or even a random person that compliments you.

2. Analyze why you need friends.

Another crucial factor for introverts making friends is to analyze the specific need behind their desire to make new friends. This step will serve as an introverts’ guide in identifying who to pick as a friend. Although introverts are surrounded by people serving multiple purposes in their lives, knowing the area they need company in can help them make the best decision.

For example, if you want an ally with whom you can discuss your personal introverted challenges, then your extroverted uncle might not be the best choice. More so, if you need someone you can confide in and tell your secrets, then a random stranger you met yesterday might not be the best option.

Introvert friendships need to be as profoundly beneficial as they can be. Therefore, considering why you need someone in your life will prevent your relationships from being superficial. More so, you’ll be one step closer to finding the most suitable friend.

3. Take a step.

It’s a common misconception that introverts don’t make friends, or can’t make friends. On the contrary, what stops us from taking a step is the fear of the unknown. What if the person rejects me? What if they turn out to be bad for me? What if I say the wrong thing? These worries are valid, but it prevents many introverts from building profitable relationships.

I’ve learned that being courageous, even for the slightest moment, is how introverts make friends (and it has worked for me!). You don’t have to go all out - you simply have to start somewhere. Identify the people that could be the best acquaintances in your life and reach out to them.

Start within your comfort zone by saying or sending a mere “hello!” Give them compliments, invite them for coffee, ask about their day, and simply keep the ball rolling afterward.

4. Don’t seek to please.

While it’s crucial to make the first move if you want to fetch friends, it’s more essential to be your authentic self. As introverts, we tend to worry about not being liked. This mindset often makes us become people-pleasers. From personal experience, I might refrain from stating my likes and dislikes to gratify the other person.

However, having deep friends means you have to be true to yourself. If you’re not comfortable doing something, speaking up about it doesn’t make you a bad person. For example, you don’t have to go to a party if you’re not comfortable with the idea. Respectfully declining your new friend’s request doesn’t jeopardize the friendship, but adds to its authenticity.

For parents, this might be the key to helping your introverted teenager make friends. They should never be under pressure to pacify a relationship. On the contrary, they should know that true friendships are built on genuineness.

Related: Am I Too Quiet? P.S. No, You’re Not. A How-To Guide to Using Your Introversion to Your Advantage