Happy Galentine’s Day! How to Make Friends as an Adult in a Big City

Happy Galentine’s Day! I’m not sure if today is the actual date of *Galentine’s* but to me, it’s always been the day before Valentine’s day. In my opinion, Galentine’s Day is just as special as Valentines Day. I’ve always been a girls girl. Girlfriends will always be there when that dude from Tinder breaks your heart, they’ll be there when your long term boyfriend moves away, and they’ll be there at your wedding, celebrating harder than anyone, when you’ve finally found your “Valentine.” They’re there for life’s highest high’s and lowest lows. My girlfriends take top priority in my life along with family, my incredible boyfriend, and my career. They are the butter to my bread, and we all know I love my carbs.

As I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize how the quality of my friendships really outweigh quantity. In high school and college, big groups were a thing. House parties, going out to the bars, brunches, the more people the better! As I’ve grown into my mid-twenties, I’ve noticed I spend more time on my friends, but not in the sense of growing numbers, more in the sense of authenticity. Heck, basically half of my best friends live across the country, yet I feel closer to them as ever. I’ve learned to grow friendships with women that challenge me, make me a better person, create adventure, and are just damn awesome people. That said — I don’t want to create a highlight reel of this amazing girl tribe I seem to speak of. These special people are hard to find. So, so, surprisingly hard. And, once you find them, you have to continue to foster the friendship. It seems to only get harder the older you become. Here’s a few ways I’ve met friends in San Francisco outside of college and work connections. It isn’t easy, girls!

 

 

 

Join a Nonprofit Women’s Organization

I recently joined the Junior League of San Francisco. This organization connects women to volunteer opportunities across the city — providing its women-only members with a strong community of people from all different backgrounds and careers. The Junior League has monthly educational meetings, social events, and provides such an incredible community of women supporting women. So far, for me, it’s been the best opportunity to get involved on a higher level in my community, while meeting tons of new like-minded women. You can join the Junior League in most big cities across the United States.

Be Specific About Networking Events 

I’m very specific when it comes to networking events. If I wanted to, I’d have an unlimited number of events to go to every night in San Francisco. I find a lot of events to not be useful, or have a hard time meeting people I truly connect with. Six Degrees Society is amazing! SDS is a women focused organization that provides members with unlimited monthly events, with fantastic and knowledgeable speakers. The CEO of the company personally matches attendees with two people at the event to chat with for fifteen minutes each. Through this community, I’ve met incredible, caring, and intelligent friends who have helped me with my career and business in multiple ways, and have also inspired me while learning about their work. This networking community means business! Six Degrees Society hosts events all over the county in most major cities.

Attend Classes at Fitness Studios 

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with ClassPass and SoulCycle. I went to a real gym on Sunday (using ClassPass) and was bored.out.of.my.mind! I need fitness classes in my life to motivate me, and provide a social setting while working out. I’ve met tons of likeminded women at these classes, and have become close with some of the instructors and fellow classmates! Even though ClassPass gives you hundreds of classes to choose from, I usually stick to the same 5-6 studios, so that it’s easier to make friends with other regulars.

Follow Through on Introductions

That friend that intro’ed you to her friend that has the same career path as you? Likes to ski in Tahoe every weekend just like you do?! Actually reach out to her! Send her an Instagram DM, or get her number! Met someone at a networking event who you bonded with? Go to coffee with them! And I don’t mean make a coffee date, then cancel. Actually go. I swear you’ll benefit from it in some way, even if it’s just practice for future coffee dates.

Photo’s Styled by WineUp / Photography by Ryan Doerr