The Power of Connection: Making Friends in a New City
The human need for connection starts from birth. As babies, we are born helpless. Our very survival is owed to the external attachment formed with our mother and caregivers. Much like our need for water and food, this element of survival is engrained within our brains. A deep-seated need for connection moves with us into adulthood. Such is the power of connection, that humans can experience negative health manifestations when social bonds are threatened or limited. As science evolves in this area, it is increasingly evident that our well-being relies deeply upon the connections we form with others.
Studies have shown us that when we experience social rejection, it causes genuine pain likened to physical pain. With loneliness affecting nearly half of adult Americans in 2019, it has been cited as a new health epidemic and major public health concern in the USA. The health consequences of loneliness parallel the risk rates seen in obesity and smoking. Certain life factors, mean that at times in our lives, moving away from established social support networks is unavoidable. For many in this situation, the question becomes:
“How do I make friends in a new city?”
Making Friends in Georgetown Texas
Georgetown is one of the fastest-growing small cities in the nation. Our population has more than doubled in the past decade. Many people are moving here from out of state for jobs. Some are single, some are married but everyone faces the task of meeting new people, making new friends, and meeting the human need for connection. While this can appear daunting, it is also an opportunity to experience growth. One of the upsides to twenty-first-century living is that there are plenty of accessible ways to meet new people.
Knowing what you’re looking for in a friend or friendship group is an important place to start. Are you looking for shared hobbies or shared life experiences? For example, if you are an active person, you might prefer those who also live an active lifestyle. Depending on your own availability, you might consider friends who have a lot of free time to give to the friendship or friends who are available a couple of times a month.
Connecting With the Georgetown Texas Community
Creating a strong connection with your new local community is another opportunity to form connections while helping you to feel more at home. Getting involved with volunteering for a local charity like CASA or the Wilco animal shelter is a great way to meet potential new friends. If you have moved for employment reasons, a new workplace can offer new connections. Most workplaces host social events for employees throughout the year. Some employers even host community outreach projects as part of their corporate sustainability strategy.
Meetup.com has many different social groups for different hobbies and stages of life. The Georgetown library has fliers for different events. Facebook has pages for different Georgetown groups, like book clubs, hiking groups, and playing on amateur sports teams. However, we encourage the use of discernment when meeting people via the internet. Never put your personal safety at risk if you feel uncomfortable, or something doesn’t sit right. There will always be another opportunity to forge new friendships!
As you become acclimatized to your new city, exercise grace and compassion. Be patient and gentle with yourself as it takes time to transition to a new city and adjust to a new home and job. At Georgetown Counseling and Wellness, our mission is to help members of our communities reconnect with the things that are truly important and thrive, both in their own lives and in their relationships. We are extremely proud of the important work we do with our clients and in the wider community.
If you would like to know more about the services offered at Georgetown Counseling and Wellness, please don’t hesitate to reach out on (512) 400-4247.
