It’s easy to meet new people when you’re still in college because they’re all around you. Literally every class you take has the potential to introduce you to a whole new group of people and who knows, maybe that special someone. But once you’re out of college and on you’re own you find yourself stuck with the same friends you’ve had for ages and a couple of new colleagues at work. That severely limits the amount of people you interact with. So in case you want to meet someone who might be the love of your life you’ve got to put yourself out there. It’s not like that special person knows where you live and will just decide to pop by one day, while you’re sitting at home. But where do you go? Well, here’s a few ideas for you.
1. Music Festivals
Music is a big part of our lives and music festivals are the best place to find like minded people. You might think that going to clubs is the same thing, but it really isn’t. Clubs are just for short-term partying, while music festivals are all-encompassing events where you get to party, see your favorite bands and meet a lot of people and make connections. Festivals last longer, it’s like a long camping weekend with a bunch of people. By the end of it you get to know them pretty damn well.
2. Online
This should be an obvious one, since this is the times we live in. Everything happens online. You work online, you chill online, so why not find yourself a partner online. We’re not saying that Tinder is the place to go, but there are other apps and other websites you can use to find like minded people who you’d like to get to know better.
3. Art Galleries
This is a great place to meet people if you love art. It’s easy enough to spot fakers, but once you meet someone who’s as interested and passionate about art as you are you’ll be happy you tried. Plus, art galleries come in different kinds. If you’re not into classical painting and sculptures, you can always opt for contemporary art or even special art events that are centered around a theme you might be interested in.
4. Classes
If there’s something you’ve always been interested in but never actually got to learn, why not take up an evening or weekend class, be it pottery, painting or learning a new language. For example, you love how French sounds but you don’t speak it. Take up a French class – you’ll finally learn the language and you’ll be surrounded by people who have similar goals and interests. You never know, apart from sharing your love of French those people might also love the same movies and singers you like.
5. Interest clubs
Similar to taking up a course and learning something new, why not join a club and do something you like. If you love kayaking – join a kayaking club. If you’re more into reading, join a book club. Whatever your interests might be, there definitely are people out there who share the same ones. It might be worth a shot meeting them. And the best part of it is, that if it doesn’t work out, you can just quit and you don’t have to see those people again.
6. House Parties
We’re not talking frat parties, but if some of your friends or acquaintances invite you over for a house party don’t be too quick to decline the invitation. Meeting new people through friends is always a good idea. This way if you meet someone interesting you already have something in common (your friends) and everyone knows that talking about your friends is easier than trying to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger.
7. Cinema clubs
If you live in a big city, there’s probably some cinema clubs around. It’s quite common for those clubs to organize themed cinema nights. Weather it’s a Harry Potter marathon or a night of Wes Anderson movies, you know that people who are going are into it. Talking in the cinema is generally frowned upon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t talk to people after you’ve seen the movie. And if you feel like it’s weird, just keep in mind that if they didn’t want to interact with people, they could’ve stayed at home and watched those movies on TV, instead they chose to come to this cinema night, so feel free to strike up a conversation.
8. Coffee shop
This might sound like a cliche, but hey, we all drink coffee. Next time you feel the need to get caffeinated, why not take a book with you and stay at a coffee shop instead of taking your coffee to go. Don’t worry about seeming like a loner just cause you’re sitting at a table by yourself. A lot of people nowadays take their laptops with them and work from cafes. It’s also not unheard of for people to come there just to chill. So go to a cafe, read a book, have a coffee and don’t get your phone out as soon as you see someone looking at you. You never know, that stranger smiling at you might turn out to be the love of your life.
