Make friends as an adult while maintaining your dignity: A sloppy how-to
You guys. Making friends as an adult is HARD. It’s probably harder than any other challenge I’ve encountered in my adult life. I would sooner date than try to navigate the dynamics of a new female friendship. How soon after meeting someone is too soon to ask them to hang out with me? How often can I ask them to hang out without seeming clingy (is twice in one week too much)? If we had a nice chat at a party, will they actually remember me the next day? How do I balance on that impossibly-thin line between unapproachable and desperate? I struggled and mostly failed when I moved to Kansas City, and struggled again when I moved to Santiago. Thankfully, this time around I found some workable solutions for me that’s kept the insecurity at bay and resulted in several dear friends. Although I’m living abroad, these ideas aren’t exclusive to being an expat: I would repeat the same formula wherever in the world I live next. Get a hobby and join a club . It’s a low-risk env...