Making Friends as an Adult: A Guide to Breaking the Ice and Overcoming Social Anxiety

How to Make Friends as an Adult (Without It Feeling Awkward)

Let’s be real: making friends as an adult can feel... weird. Unlike school or college, where friendships form naturally, adulthood comes with responsibilities, schedules, and sometimes, loneliness. Whether you’ve just moved to Salt Lake City or are simply looking to meet new people who get you, the idea of making friends as an adult can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be.

At Make Friends & Socialize, we see it every day: people of all ages and backgrounds walking into one of our events nervous, only to leave with new connections and genuine smiles. Here’s how you can do it too.

1. Acknowledge That It’s Normal First things first: if you feel awkward or unsure, you’re not alone. Most people attending social gatherings, especially for the first time, feel nervous. The key is knowing that awkwardness is a sign of trying, not failure.

2. Choose Events That Align With Your Interests One of the easiest ways to make real connections is to go where your passions are. Do you love board games? Art? Food? Wine tasting? At Make Friends & Socialize, we host a wide range of in-person events in Salt Lake City that are interest-driven—giving you something in common right from the start.

3. Arrive with a Curious Mindset, Not an Agenda Instead of thinking, “I need to find a best friend tonight,” show up curious about others. Ask questions like:

• “How did you find this event?”

• “What do you usually do for fun?”

• “Have you been to one of these before?”

Curiosity makes you approachable, and people love to talk about themselves when they feel seen.

4. Don’t Wait to Be Approached Confidence isn’t about being fearless—it’s about being willing to make the first move. Say hi. Introduce yourself. If you’re at one of our events, we often include icebreaker moments or conversation prompts to help you connect.

5. Follow Up! This step is often forgotten. After meeting someone you clicked with, send a quick DM or text: “It was so great chatting with you at the event! Want to grab coffee sometime next week?” Small acts of follow-up can lead to big friendships.

6. Consider Going Solo to Events It might feel scary at first, but attending an event alone often opens the door to more conversations. When you’re not tethered to a friend, you appear more open and people are more likely to approach you.

7. Practice Makes Comfortable Every event you attend makes the next one easier. You’re building social muscle. Our members have told us they went from wallflowers to event regulars in just a month—and now they help welcome newcomers!

8. Join a Community that Cares Make Friends & Socialize isn’t just about events—it’s about building chosen family. Many of us moved here without knowing anyone. Now, we celebrate birthdays, host weddings, and share everyday moments together. If you’re in Salt Lake City and you’re looking for meaningful connection, you’re exactly where you need to be.

Ready to take the first step? Check out our upcoming events, and don’t hesitate to show up exactly as you are. We can’t wait to meet you.