Key Life Area: Social

Are you happy with your current circle of friends?

Would you like to meet people who have similar interests?

Would you like to have more meaningful relationships?        

The social aspect is the last major area of life outlined in this guide, and it is important to consider. It is difficult to enjoy life to the fullest without the presence of others with us. 

Ironically, seeking good company is not necessarily the easiest, especially for those of us who may be more reserved.

However, you don’t need be intimidated in meeting new people, or strengthening your relationships with your close ones. There are many easy opportunities for you to be able to do both.

Meeting New People

It is important to be able to bring people into your life and to form good relationships to meet your social needs. 

Hopefully, one or more of these ways of reaching out will serve you well in getting together with the kind of people that help bring happiness into your life.

One way to meet people is by joining a group or organization. Some basic types to join: 

·     Civic organizations

·     Religious affiliations

·     Cultural associations

·     Personal interest clubs

Civic Organizations

If you want to do something good, and you’re looking for someone to join you, there are already some groups out there who would like for youto join them in doing good work – they’re called civic organizations, or civic clubs, and they have many members. 

Some more well-known civic clubs include the Rotary Club and Kiwanis. These clubs hold meetings for members to learn about, and participate in, ways to do good for the community.

Religious Affiliations

Whatever your religious belief may be, or what faith you maintain, religious affiliations can serve as an outlet for you to connect with others with similar principles. 

Regardless of your level of spirituality, religious affiliations can help bring you together with others to do faith-based activities, which often include 

•      Community service work 

•      Holiday observances

•      Social events

Cultural Associations

Just as there are organizations based on religion, so are there groups determined by, and created for, members of the same culture. There is an association for just about every known cultural group, and they each have their own unique schedules and activities – geared specifically toward those of similar backgrounds. They may be general groups, or more specific, such as 

•      Business-related

•      Networking 

•      Social

Personal Interest Clubs

If you have a certain interest or hobby, and are looking for people to share your passion with, then consider joining a personal interest club. These clubs can range in interests from biking, to scrap booking, to investing. They strike a chord with those who truly enjoy particular pastimes, and who would like to join others in doing them on a regular basis. To find groups of people near you who enjoy similar activities, one website you can go to is meetup.com.

More Social Opportunities     

Joining an organization is not the only way to expand your social circle. Other options include

•      Taking classes

•      Volunteering 

•      Working at a part-time job

Classes

Taking classes is a great way to make friends, as well as increase your knowledge and education. You can choose from a variety of different subjects, depending upon the type of people that you would like to meet. 

If you have already graduated from college, consider continuing education classes, at your local community college or university, which would also cause less stress since they are not for credit.  

Volunteering

Volunteering represents another avenue for meeting people of a like mentality. There are numerous places to choose from to volunteer at – again, depending upon the kind of people that you are interested in meeting. 

The flexibility of volunteer work also makes it possible to volunteer at more than one place while working within a limited number of hours. This would allow you to meet even more similar-minded people.

You can find many volunteer opportunities through nonprofit organizations near you, or by checking with your local social services agency, which may have a list of volunteer positions in your area. You can also go to: volunteermatch.org.

Part-Time Job 

If you would like to feel productive in your effort to meet with people, try starting a part-time job. You would have an instant circle of friends with your coworkers, who would also have a productive mindset. 

In addition, you would have the flexibility of working part-time hours, perhaps allowing you to work with different groups of people, as well as giving you more time off and less pressure. For part-time job listings near you, you can look on Indeed.com.

Staying Connected

While there are many ways to meet people to expand your social circle, there is no value that can be placed on keeping healthy and meaningful relationships with those to whom you are closest. 

Here are a few suggestions for staying connected and maintaining close relationships:

·     Stay in touch: use phone calls, e-mails, and greeting cards to stay in touch with family and friends on a continuous basis

·     Share: be equitable in sharing stories, advice, and costs with others.

·     Be unselfish: Do your best to think of others in terms of what they might be going through and/or need.

·     Be appreciative: express gratitude to others for being in your life and making it more special.

·     Admit faults: be willing to apologize for mistakes and failures while accepting responsibility

Social Key Life Area – My Own Story 

When I was in high school long ago, I was a part of a religious youth organization. I was in a chapter that was growing and had a lot of potential for social activities and societal contributions. 

An Organized Youth Group

Our chapter had a goal of maintaining a balance between our different areas of focus: social, cultural, athletic, religious, and community. Our group’s advisors did their best to make sure we put equal efforts into each area. 

Balanced Activities

For social, we had dances; for cultural, we visited areas of cultural interest; for athletic, we played sports; for religious, we had ceremonies; and for community, we performed community service.

Our chapter was active, and was able to do and accomplish a lot. I had the opportunity to learn and grow as a person in this organization, becoming president of the chapter, and making a lot of friends. 

Forming Meaningful Relationships

There were more than social activities going on with this group, but they all encouraged social interaction and bonding. I was able to form close and meaningful relationships with several individuals.

Due to this experience of joining a social group, and participating in its activities, I was able to make many friends while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. 

Conclusion

Below is a simple map that will allow you to determine what types of ways to meet people, and form or continue meaningful relationships may be best for you.  

Social Map

What would I like to have in common with the type of people I would like to meet with? 

What kind of mindsets would I like the people that I meet with to have? 

How many people would I like to have the chance to meet with? 

What are my favorite pastimes and activities that I would like to share with others? 

What would I like to learn and gain in the process of meeting with others? 

How much time can I set aside for the social area of my life? 

Three chosen ways to meet with people based on the above criteria: 

1.    _______________________________________________________

2.    _______________________________________________________

3.    _______________________________________________________