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aziz_92
Community Member

How do you make new friends?

So yea...how do you make new friends? I mean generally as adults and also as freelancers... I assume quite a few of us do this full time, work from home, and so we have pretty much no physcial social network; and now with this covid thingy looming over our heards, it's pretty much impossible. 

 

Personally, for me:

  • Travelling (but friendships you make are pretty short lived as you drift apart after a while)
  • Going to meetups for hobbies that I have (but with covid next to impossible)
  • Learning new languages (made some really good friends this way)

Curious what you guys do to meet new people.

47 REPLIES 47
faheem955
Community Member

For now, I don't bother trying to make new friends because I am a student and a freelancer so I get friends from classes or hostel. we always hang out together or study together so don't have to try to make new friends, I just get them without even trying 😄

I'm quite an introvert and quite happy to be on my own.

When I do start going a bit stir-crazy and feel the need for more human company, I have a small group of friends I can arrange for a few pints with. I like it that way and am in no hurry to make new friends (they are often more hassle than they're worth). When I do meet a new person, they're usually the friend of another of my friends. 

 Get a dog - a smoochy sort of pooch - works every time. 

 

I have started having long telephone conversations with childhood friends that I haven't seen for years.  We share so much and at our age we love talking about the distant past as well as the current times.  I always hang up with a huge smile on my face.

If we can do as you've said as early as we can.....Life would be more memorable and worth looking forward to.

The world is becoming more individualistic than communal....A reason why we are having more case of depression in the world
:rose: Greetings from this plain

hi Muhammad. that's a good one. so what you are saying is that friends just come to you even without you asking for their company. right now I need friends from Upwork but I don't know where to start from

 

please do we have a general chatting platform for our category or field where we freelancers can share ideas. if yes please let me know.

m_ronne
Community Member

Friends? What are those? haha I have my dog, I live in the middle of nowhere, and if I'm not working, I'm sleeping Woman Very Happy  If I want to connect to "friends" I do so via social media and that's just basically everyone lying about how happy and fulfilled they are right? hehe

A friend is more than just a social media guy, 

kochubei_valeria
Community Member

I'm lucky to have found a very social hobby. It's helped me meet like-minded close friends despite working from home my whole life and moving to a different country. I'm pretty terrible at making friends online or even staying in touch with the ones I have over phone or internet, so this past year has been rough...

~ Valeria
Upwork


Valeria K wrote:

I'm lucky to have found a very social hobby. It's helped me meet like-minded close friends despite working from home my whole life and moving to a different country. I'm pretty terrible at making friends online or even staying in touch with the ones I have over phone or internet, so this past year has been rough...

 


_____________________________

 

Valeria moving anywhere let alone to a new country in these Covid times must have been really, really stressful and I hope you are feeling more settled. I promise hereonin, I will sit on my hands and stop giving you a hard time! But curiosity is eating me up. What is your "very social hobby"? 

 

re: "What is your 'very social hobby'?"

 

Maybe she moderates a message board for an international freelance hiring website.


Nichola L wrote:

Valeria K wrote:

I'm lucky to have found a very social hobby. It's helped me meet like-minded close friends despite working from home my whole life and moving to a different country. I'm pretty terrible at making friends online or even staying in touch with the ones I have over phone or internet, so this past year has been rough...

 


_____________________________

 

Valeria moving anywhere let alone to a new country in these Covid times must have been really, really stressful and I hope you are feeling more settled. I promise hereonin, I will sit on my hands and stop giving you a hard time! But curiosity is eating me up. What is your "very social hobby"? 

 


That I know, she dances swing Smiley Very Happy

Maria knows it! Yes, I was referring to Lindy Hop - a social dance I've been doing for almost a decade now. Of course the real-life social aspect of it has been put on hold now but we're still finding ways to connect online.

 

Oh, Nichola, sorry if my post made it sound like I moved recently. I moved a few years ago. But when I did, or just when I would travel in general, I'd meet people at dance events. So most of my close friends are dancers now.

~ Valeria
Upwork


Valeria K wrote:

Maria knows it! Yes, I was referring to Lindy Hop - a social dance I've been doing for almost a decade now. Of course the real-life social aspect of it has been put on hold now but we're still finding ways to connect online.

 

Oh, Nichola, sorry if my post made it sound like I moved recently. I moved a few years ago. But when I did, or just when I would travel in general, I'd meet people at dance events. So most of my close friends are dancers now.


Dancing in Zoom? Woman LOL


Maria T wrote:


Dancing in Zoom? Woman LOL


Actually, yes! Well at least for dance classes, not social dancing. There is a silver linning too - I've taken more classes with dance instructors from all over the world in 2020 than I had in previous few years. 

~ Valeria
Upwork


Valeria K wrote:

Maria knows it! Yes, I was referring to Lindy Hop - a social dance I've been doing for almost a decade now. Of course the real-life social aspect of it has been put on hold now but we're still finding ways to connect online.

 

Oh, Nichola, sorry if my post made it sound like I moved recently. I moved a few years ago. But when I did, or just when I would travel in general, I'd meet people at dance events. So most of my close friends are dancers now.


Lindy Hop! That's so cool Valeria! I love dancing and I often watch dance videos - I love the Lindy Hop ones.

That's awesome, Luce! I'm always happy to meet people who've actually heard of Lindy Hop. I think a lot of people are aware of swing dancing in general but not of Lindy Hop specifically. 

 

Since you're from France, here is a video of two incredibly talented French dancers at a competition a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it!

~ Valeria
Upwork


Valeria K wrote:

That's awesome, Luce! I'm always happy to meet people who've actually heard of Lindy Hop. I think a lot of people are aware of swing dancing in general but not of Lindy Hop specifically. 

 

Since you're from France, here is a video of two incredibly talented French dancers at a competition a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it!

 


Oh, Valeria, this is so kind of you! I really enjoyed watching Alice and Rémi. Besides, it was a rather interesting version of "On the sunny side of the street". Thank you very much!

 

Are you able to go to dance classes at the moment?

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Luce!

 

I can't go to classes in person now, but I've been taking some classes online with different instructors (including a class with Remy and Alice, actually, back in November.)

~ Valeria
Upwork

Yesterday, I found a video teaching the basics of Lindy-Hop. My husband and I are planning to give it a go. We might be the next Rémy and Alice!

 

To tell you the truth, I love dancing, but I'm definitely not gifted...

 

My classes too have been suspended, and I have to practise alone, which is much less fun. My classes are country and line-dancing, (very good for memory). And yes, going to dance class is an excellent way to make friends.

richardrader
Community Member

I buy my friends on UpWork.

$5.25/hr, must be available 24/7, must be an expert at listening to people cry, needed IMMEDIATELY (URGENT) Smiley LOL

tahafarooq7
Community Member

Yes, it is getting difficult to make new friends nowadays.

I would suggest Upwork to add more features here. There should be, at least, a follow, option available. There are a lot of incredible freelancers who have done some amazing stuff. I would certainly like to follow them and get their updates for consistent inspiration. 

kinector
Community Member

I quit trying to make new friends years ago. Don't worry about it. 😉

I suppose my new friends are either the best kinds of clients or business partners. Alternatively friend's friends (introduced by that mutual friend, obviously, under very questionable circumstances). 🙄

Alternatively, fellow coconut enthusiasts. 🤣:desert_island:😋

Alternatively, friends of my friend's goat (who happens to be very unique, quite a character, and a really handsome fellow... for a goat). 🤪

Sigh.  I really love goats.  There used to be a small herd at Beauvoir, the retirement home of Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederacy during the Civil War).  Davis had goats so Beauvoir got goats and at night they would graze the cemetary of Civil War Veterans.  The house is very near to me and I would love to go visit the goats.  Sadly, they did more damage than good and are now gone.  But I really love goats.

robric
Community Member

Hi Aziz. May I take a slightly different angle? I have been freelancing here for eleven years and have been quite successful. But the non-freelancers in my circle don’t understand my need to be alone when I work. Work won the struggle but my social circle lost out. I have concluded computer work is for people happy with their own company. In fact my ‘social circle’ is my clients but we keep things business like. Does this make sense? I am a writer, not sure if this makes a difference. Richard

Valeria - that video was fabulous!  I'm a pretty good dancer but have never tried the LIndy Hop, which could be dangerous at my age!  Remi is so tall and I find it hard to dance with really tall partners.

 

When I was working as a background actor/ extra, I was filming a scene for the TV series True Detective.  My partner was about 6'3" (I am 5'1" on a good day) and we had never danced together before.  After the scene, some of the crew asked if we were a real life couple because we danced so well together.  That was really nice.  (BTW - Matthew McConaghey cannot dance.  Period.  Just awful.)

Friends??? What IS this word you speak of? 


Mary W wrote:

Valeria - that video was fabulous!  I'm a pretty good dancer but have never tried the LIndy Hop, which could be dangerous at my age!  Remi is so tall and I find it hard to dance with really tall partners.

 

When I was working as a background actor/ extra, I was filming a scene for the TV series True Detective.  My partner was about 6'3" (I am 5'1" on a good day) and we had never danced together before.  After the scene, some of the crew asked if we were a real life couple because we danced so well together.  That was really nice.  (BTW - Matthew McConaghey cannot dance.  Period.  Just awful.)


Well, Mary, I've been looking at many videos for beginners as I'd like to try Lindy Hop too. You don't have to do stuff like Remy and Alice, just the basics. Maybe Valeria could advise us?

roberty1y
Community Member

I don't have any friends these days. I spend a lot of time travelling and living out of my car, keeping myself to myself. As the FBI specialists would tell you, that's the classic profile of a serial killer.


Robert Y wrote:

I don't have any friends these days. I spend a lot of time travelling and living out of my car, keeping myself to myself. As the FBI specialists would tell you, that's the classic profile of a serial killer.


Dexter!!??

 

Is that you???? Smiley Wink

Woodrw Q said:

 

Dexter!!??

 

Is that you???? 

 

There's always a safe haven for people like me on Upwork. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a client who left me bad feedbadk a while ago...


Robert Y wrote:

I don't have any friends these days. I spend a lot of time travelling and living out of my car, keeping myself to myself. As the FBI specialists would tell you, that's the classic profile of a serial killer.


Don't be so hard on yourself. Even serial killers have friends. 


Martina P wrote:

Robert Y wrote:

I don't have any friends these days. I spend a lot of time travelling and living out of my car, keeping myself to myself. As the FBI specialists would tell you, that's the classic profile of a serial killer.


Don't be so hard on yourself. Even serial killers have friends. 


I know, as soon as you hit Death Row, the proposals of marriage start rolling in.


Robert Y wrote:

Martina P wrote:

Robert Y wrote:

I don't have any friends these days. I spend a lot of time travelling and living out of my car, keeping myself to myself. As the FBI specialists would tell you, that's the classic profile of a serial killer.


Don't be so hard on yourself. Even serial killers have friends. 


I know, as soon as you hit Death Row, the proposals of marriage start rolling in.


"He's so cute in that stripy jumpsuit!"


Woodrow Q wrote:

Robert Y wrote:

Martina P wrote:

Robert Y wrote:

I don't have any friends these days. I spend a lot of time travelling and living out of my car, keeping myself to myself. As the FBI specialists would tell you, that's the classic profile of a serial killer.


Don't be so hard on yourself. Even serial killers have friends. 


I know, as soon as you hit Death Row, the proposals of marriage start rolling in.


"He's so cute in that stripy jumpsuit!"




Woodrow Q wrote:

Robert Y wrote:

Martina P wrote:

Robert Y wrote:

I don't have any friends these days. I spend a lot of time travelling and living out of my car, keeping myself to myself. As the FBI specialists would tell you, that's the classic profile of a serial killer.


Don't be so hard on yourself. Even serial killers have friends. 


I know, as soon as you hit Death Row, the proposals of marriage start rolling in.


"He's so cute in that stripy jumpsuit!"


I know, Charles Manson died amid sacks of mail from adoring women. 

 I had a long telephone conversation yesterday with a guy I grew up with.  I've known him for 70 years and haven't  seen him in person for 50 years!  We connected on FB a few years ago and it's just been wonderful. He has had an incredible life - highest of highs, lowest of lows - and he wants me to write a book of his memoirs.  I'm going through some rough family stuff and he was so supportive.  We lives 1,000 miles and many years apart, but when we talk it's like he's right there.  Earlier in the week, I got a long call from an old girlfriend that I've known at least as long as John.  I don't have many friends where I live but people like them sustain and strengthen me.


Mary W wrote:

 I had a long telephone conversation yesterday with a guy I grew up with.  I've known him for 70 years and haven't  seen him in person for 50 years!  We connected on FB a few years ago and it's just been wonderful. He has had an incredible life - highest of highs, lowest of lows - and he wants me to write a book of his memoirs.  I'm going through some rough family stuff and he was so supportive.  We lives 1,000 miles and many years apart, but when we talk it's like he's right there.  Earlier in the week, I got a long call from an old girlfriend that I've known at least as long as John.  I don't have many friends where I live but people like them sustain and strengthen me.


That's an interesting story. I often check old friends on FB, but I've never contacted any of them. So much time has gone by, and you never know how they might have changed. 

In my experience, the old friends have improved greatly over the years and we have more in common than not. We share things that no one else knows about.  A lot of it started when I agreed to find high school classmates for an upcoming reunion.  It has continued until now.  I got another call a couple of days ago from a woman I've been friends with since 1st or 2nd grade.  We were very close, in each other's weddings, the whole thing.  I then lost her for years.  When we reconnected 7 or 8 years ago, it was like no time had passed.  She has become a strong member of my support group.  Try it!

I don't. I prefer the company of my dogs and cats too much. They would see human friends as an insult.

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