<div>Strike up a casual conversation with the person next to you.Then, chat and say hello each time you see each other at the gym. It might be the beginning of a friendship.</div>

Join a Gym

After you have made a few connections, stay in contact.Reach out regularly to your new friends. Call or text. Show an interest in the things that are important to them.

Maintain the Friendships You Make

Don't worry about being rejected, or that you might not be fun enough.  Be open and inviting.

Focus on Being Open

<div>Don't shy away from invitations. If someone invites you to do something, accept the invitation. If you are unable to accept, make an effort to do something else together instead.</div>

Accept Invites

The purpose of social media is to connect people.If a friend posts something that interests you, reach out and make a connection. Use social media to organize get-togethers.

Leverage Social Media

<div>Expand your horizons and try new things: for example, an art class or a dance class. It will open up the possibility of making friends in new and interesting places.</div>

Try New Things

Meet-ups and other networking events are a great way to meet new people who share the same passions.

Attend a Meet-Up

<div>Churches are a great place to meet new people and make friends. There are usually other opportunities of involvement, such as a Bible study, volunteer opportunities or a weekly potluck.</div>

Attend Church

Decide when you are going to ask someone to do something together.Schedule these initial contacts to ensure that you won't keep putting it off.

Put It On the Calendar

You spend a large amount of time with the people you work with. You likely know a great deal about one another.Consider inviting one of your co-workers to do something non-work related.

Connect With Co-Workers

Make a list of people that you would like to get to know better.Consider extending an invitation and see what happens.

Make a List

Remember how easy it was to make friends in elementary school? Most of the time your best friends ended up being the kids in your class or in your neighborhood. Or maybe you were best friends with kids whose parents were friends with yours. As a child, making friends wasn't as complicated as it feels today.

Attend Church

Similar ideas to Attend Church

Attend a Meet-Up

Travelling can teach you new skills

Strategies to Reduce Loneliness

1. Ask for help.