MAKING CONNECTIONS

I have no friends. Where do I start?

Making connections can start slowly. Shared-interest groups, classes, or volunteering can give you something to do together while you get acquainted.

Pick a repeatable setting

Look at a local library or community center’s calendar for one activity you can realistically attend. Choose something that interests you and fits your budget and access needs.

Set a small goal

Your first goal could be arriving, staying briefly, and saying hello. You don’t need to leave with a phone number. If you liked the activity, give yourself the option of returning.

A small thing to try

An opening line you can borrow: ‘Hi, it’s my first time here. Have you been coming for a while?’

Sources & further reading

General support informed by the resources below, not a diagnosis or personalized treatment. How we create these guides

NHS: Dealing with lonelinessMind: Tips to manage loneliness
If you need emotional support now, U.S. visitors can call or text 988. For immediate danger, contact local emergency services.

You can read quietly, too.

Find anonymous stories about loneliness, or share your own. No account needed.

Read the stories