How can I make new friends at 40?

[40somethinglady]

I have no friends and now I’m 40, I realise that it would be nice to have a reliable friend or two.
I tried making friends with school mums, as they’re mostly who I see on a daily basis, but it was clear that it wasn’t going to be straightforward, as no one really talks to me.
I've never had many friends, I’m an introvert, but I’m friendly.
Where would be the best place to find a new friend?

Do you have a hobby? If not is there something you can join - ? my mum has a lot of newish friends from an art class and a choir and she’s much older than 40! What about work? I’ve made friends through work in recent years.

I made some good friends at our local college. Check out if there’s any adult education classes in your area. I did play and screen writing, loved it.
Good luck

Hobby / start something - things like climbing , music , walking groups, book club where interaction is needed

Ditto volunteering

patience - it takes years to build real friendships. There is probably something written about stages of friendships and how to move from acquaintance to friend takes time and shared emotional experiences/ the walk that went wrong , the book you all didn’t finish

I came on to say much the same as the PPs. Nearly all my local friends are from an exercise class I used to go to in my local community hall. I also have a local friend who was a customer at my work.

I meant to add: Have a look at local clubs and activities and see if any appeal. I only went to the exercise class I referred to above because I wanted to do something and it was the only thing that appealed. It turned out to be very enjoyable.

It can be really be hit or miss if you want to make friends who are around your own age.

I've found that volunteer roles, hobby groups and classes in my local area are mainly populated by retirees.

im mid 40’s and made some amazing friends whilst volunteering

I met my best friends through my kids hobbies. My youngest was in a small intensive group so we all bonded as parents over the hours spent spectating and travelling.

She's now on a football team and a few of us go for coffee and a chat on training nights and let our hair down on fundraisers.

I'm not looking for anything deeper than that just now - my best friend died quite recently and I don't think I could ever have that again.

Exercise classes, art classes, and various similar things. Choir, walking groups.

Good luck 👍

Thanks all! Unfortunately going to groups/classes is difficult at the moment as we have children and my husband works long hours and often has to go away, but I’ll keep my eyes open.
I might also try some online groups with the option of meeting up.

If you can’t afford to spend time with people making friends is alsmot impossible

do the kids do classes or such? Could you organise an event for the parents whilst you all wait around- run a quiz or ad hoc book club?

Join the school’s PTA

You’ll struggle to make/maintain any friendships if you have no time to do it. Might be time to sit with your DH and plan for how you can have some free time to take up a hobby.

Do you work? Do you have time during school hours? Weekends when husband is around?

There are weekend walking groups round here.

You will need to find some regular time to meet new people - as with anything you might need to meet 40 people to click with one.

What do you enjoy? What are you good at?

What about posting in a local Facebook group, just an honest and open post? You’ll almost definitely have other women in the same boat!