How to make more female friends (in my 30s)

[LonelyPants]

Just that really! I'm working from home during lockdown and feeling a bit lonely. Have a lovely partner, no children, and just feeling like I need more friendship in my life.

I have a few close friends but they either live further or are due to have babies very soon so I'm really missing that regular girl time which I think is important for mental wellbeing!

Real life options like joining classes/starting a new hobby, or work socials are limited during these lockdown times, and I was wondering if anyone knows of good places to make geniune friendships?

I've tried meet up but there wasn't much for my area, and not so much females either.. are there other places I can be looking? I'm in the south of England.

Volunteering of some kind? Most volunteers I’ve met have been women.

Do you play a sport, or would you take one up?

Is there a local litter picking group on Facebook.
Have a look on the local pages of Facebook as to what is going on in your area.

What are your interests? There are online choirs and book clubs for example.
Or start your own group if feeling brave!

Lots of W.I. groups are doing virtual meetings - I joined in my 30s and if you get the right group it’s a real mix of ages, I’ve met lots of new friends since joining

There’s a W.I. wanderers group on FB where lots of groups are sharing their online events or you’ll find one near you I’m sure

You could start one up. I used to run a Book and Wine Club, it was good fun.

Other suggestions
Toast Masters
Comedy Improv

Its hard atm, can you reach out to existing friends and family?

You can start here.

What are you into? What would you like to talk about? Compatible interests and personalities are key to starting up something.

I dont know if you're into it, but crossfit/independant gyms are great for this kind of thing. You usually get a good group of people who are keen to meet up for the social. I move around a lot (military) and these types of places have been my saviour in finding new friends in different areas. For some reason you just dont get that kind of thing in the globo gyms, im not sure why. Obvs this isnt an option in lockdown, but after its lifted and gyms are up and running again it could be good.

Thank you I will look into all of these. I just feel like as we grow up close friendships are formed ie. school, uni, work... and then once you're older you don't have those environments anymore. Especially with wfh likely to be so heavily enforced from now on.

I have seen some Facebook groups online but either seem to be full of much younger women or retired women.. I don't mind various ages but it does feel like either of two extremes! Will definitely see what I can do once back in the real world again as well. Loneliness is an ongoing battle this year.

Running groups/fitness groups are where I met mine and they will start again very soon. They have been good for seeing people during this lockdown too.

Campaign and politics groups

Join a drama group as some are still rehearsing? If that’s your thing. Far better to meet female friends through shared interests.

I know what you mean especially in smaller towns it can feel that everyone has been friends since birth if not before. I’d just say that isn’t the case for everyone, just a minority and there’ll be plenty of people around who could do with more friends. I started a feminist group once, that was fun.