5 of The Best Places to Meet Fellow Introverts

You don’t have to be a social butterfly to make friends and if you’re looking for proof, look no further than what introverts have achieved with their friend groups. Introverts may be thought to have fewer or even prefer not to have friends at all, but that’s just conjecture fueled by social labeling. Introverts are just as capable of making meaningful connections as anyone else and they also want it. They probably just have a different way of getting familiar and establishing those bonds.

Although introverts do want to experience friendship – it’s not as easy for them to do so through what can be considered “conventional” ways in their community and society. A study conducted by market research firm OnePoll found that 42% of American adults have difficulty making friends and the primary reason is due to introversion or shyness. The biggest challenge when it comes to making friends later in life is breaking into new social circles, not only mustering the nerve to be more sociable in nature.

Most people make friends earlier in life. There’s no question of that when you consider the other statistic that an estimated 36% of the population peak before 21 years old when it comes to establishing new social links. But that’s no surprise. There are a lot more opportunities to make those connections when you’re younger. Through school, clubs, living in the same neighborhood, family connections, the list goes on. The reason for that might be the role of an obligation (like schooling), or outside parties (family members, teachers, etc), making introductions and “breaking the ice” for the person.

When you get older, you most likely are the one making those introductions. If you haven’t grown up around the person or met them through someone else, or naturally gotten to know them through being in the same school, it can be hard to take that first step and communicate. That’s why one of the best ways to meet new people is based on the environment that you’re in – especially for introverts.

Find The Quiet Spaces

Any introvert should know where the best places are to get some space. Whether it be outside at a public park or inside in a cafe – introverts are constantly looking for and aware of the ideal spots to sit where they can get some quiet and distance to focus or feel more comfortable.

This naturally means that if you’re looking for a fellow introvert, pay attention to where you gravitate to when looking for a quiet and more secluded seating spot. The people that have already picked those spots and are alone might be who you’re looking for. Your conversation starter is so easy it’s practically cheating.

Related: INFJ: What Makes It The Rarest Personality Type?

Comment on their excellent hangout choice and its advantages. Maybe it’s a park bench that perfectly overlooks the area, maybe it’s a cute little corner booth at a cafe or tea shop. Those spots are special for a reason and whether they realize it or not, you can find appreciation in that together. The fact that they’re there means they at least want to be so you should take advantage of that as a commonality.

Anywhere With Books

Reading is a popular hobby for a reason. It also tops the list for an introvert’s favorite pastimes. Whether or not you’re interested in reading, it’s always worthwhile to check out your local bookstore or library for any events happening. They’re an attractive location for a range of activities, especially for the more introverted.

Bookstores or libraries offer a quiet environment and are well-known for that. If you’re attending an event it might be easier to engage with others casually, but there’s always the chance that you’ll spark a conversation just as naturally depending on who’s around you and what kind of material you’re reading.

Meetups For Introverts

This is a bit of a no brainer, but if you’re trying to find people that match your lifestyle, you probably want to find a group of them. The best part of finding meetups for introverts or those that describe themselves similarly is that you can bet they’re all willing to make new friends.

You’re all there for the exact same reason. To meet people and better yet, if it’s a group focused on a certain personality or activity that introverts are more likely to enjoy or engage in, then you’ve narrowed the pool down even further.

Take A Class

Introverts tend to solve problems on their own because they prefer to learn and resolve things that way. They also enjoy exploring ideas or problems and in a general sense, learning about topics they’re passionate about. That’s why it’s likely you’ll find introverts in adult-level courses. whether it be in a college classroom or a local restaurant offering cooking classes, you’ll probably run into a fellow introvert or two.

Don’t assume it’s for any class out there though – introverts will likely be learning about something they plan to do themselves. If the class is more active, like for an outdoor sport or involving particularly social activities – that might make an introvert think twice before attending. Aim for classes that are more traditional and include sitting down and working individually. Some examples are painting, writing, or language instruction courses.

Online

The internet offers the perfect setting for introverts to communicate without the pressures of face-to-face interaction. It might even be one of the best ways to connect with an introvert since they’re more inclined to be open through written communication. There are practically limitless resources online to help you find and get to know fellow introverts. You can find a forum, join a social media group or online club, or create a post yourself that’s directed towards the type of people you want to meet.

The hope is that you can transition a relationship that you create online to the “real world.” If you live nearby to the connections you’ve online, try to arrange a meeting, or if it’s not possible, even a phone or video call should be a helpful next step to establishing a closer relationship.




Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on the latest content for introverts.




The following two tabs change content below.

Hana Othman

Hana Othman is the founder of SimpleHermit.com and identifies as an INFJ. Most days you can find her typing away or reading a book. Beyond that, she keeps busy as a dog and cat mom.