Hey beautiful people,

As you know, I recently packed up, threw what I could fit in my little Hyundai Accent and hit the road. I settled on Dallas, TX where everything is BIG. No, seriously, it really is. The roads, the churches, the traffic, the buildings, and more. I felt like a fish out of water trying to adapt in this big, new world.

I had people here that I knew but developing new friendships is something I really wanted to do. It was cool traveling and exploring by myself but I wanted people to have conversations with while I was out and about. I wanted to find people that did things that I enjoyed doing.

I am not a clubber and the mall thing is cool but I desired experiences rather than just doing things for the sake of doing things. I love going to festivals and parks, hearing live music and connecting with people doing amazing things. I love brunching and seeing beautiful places. I am an explorer and needed that in my life.

via GIPHY

I have begun to build some relationships with people and it is a growing process because you do not want to let just anybody in your circle, that is not smart. I understand why people are a part of cliques, you have built that trust and bond and do not want someone coming to throw that off.

via GIPHY

As an adult, I don’t know about you but I have a harder time meeting and developing quality friendships. It was so much easier when you were in school and you got to engage with the same people over and over. As an adult, most people are like I don’t want to hang with my coworkers outside of work. I’m like HOW DO YOU MEET QUALITY PEOPLE to eventually call friend?

via GIPHY

Here are 6 ways I have been meeting people: 

1. Be intentional– meeting someone and staying on their radar by checking in on them, inviting them places is something you have to do, it just does not happen by itself. So if you want friends you have to put in the effort to reach out. I met a few people and whenever they post photos of food, I always am like, “You should have invited me!”
2. Social Media Networking– THAT IS WHAT IT IS FOR RIGHT? I met about 4 people from a friends Periscope. This man is in Oklahoma but people who always watched were from all over the world. Many from DALLAS so we exchanged contact information and started building those relationships. I also, got involved with some Dallas Bloggers specific Facebook groups so that helps a lot as well.
3. Meetup.com– Have you tried this site before? It is amazing. I go on here and look at the calendar to see what is happening around me and participate. You join groups with similar people or interests and there you go BOOM… you have a life and people to do it with you!
4. Church– So I joined this mega church and absolutely AM IN LOVE. The people are great. The pastor and his wife are PHENOMENAL but it is HUGE just like everything else in TX. About 8000 people come each weekend. You may not ever see someone ever again. So when you connect, you better get their number right then and there. But I immediately got involved serving in the Youth Ministry and participating in the Singles Ministry. Now the church is getting smaller and I am seeing some people over and over.
5. Go explore– I fell in love with the Dallas Farmers market and connected with some business owners. I also, went shopping and met a girl who made me go and get my nails done, who would have thought that we would find each other in the same Life group at the HUGE Mega Church! Dallas is now getting smaller.
6. Sit by yourself– Instead of always being with people, sitting alone in a public place, people tend to always talk to you. Maybe at the bar or the park, many people love to talk. I was at a restaurant pretty much by myself and I joined a group of people. I chilled a bit and then they were all started talking to me and I hung out with them the rest of the night.

An old friend of mine always would say, “I never meet a stranger” with that being said, I definitely have to step out of my comfort zone if I want to build relationships here in this huge place called Dallas.

I have friendship goals!!

What are some ways you meet new people? Are you hesitant with including people in your group?

Thanks for reading! Be sure to comment below!

Peace and Blessings,
CicelyRenee