New hobbies to meet new people? Any experiences, suggestions?

ahnow

Hi! I know this has been done to death on here, but I’m looking to make new friends and expand my social circle, Im mid-twenties, female. I’m hoping to join a running class in January, so I’m hoping this will help, but has anyone got any other suggestions?
I’ve never been particularly sporty growing up, and I would definitely lack confidence when it comes to certain sports, so we’d say team sports are not something I’d like to consider at this point in time. Whatever I would be doing, I would be joining it on my own.
Has anyone have any personal experiences of joining a hobby and making friends from it? What did they join? It is literally a totally new area for me, and I’m finding it a wee bit nerve wracking! I don’t know where to begin!! So any suggestions to ease me into it would be fantastic-thanks!!!!

thegreatgonzo

ahnow wrote: »

Hi! I know this has been done to death on here, but I’m looking to make new friends and expand my social circle, Im mid-twenties, female. I’m hoping to join a running class in January, so I’m hoping this will help, but has anyone got any other suggestions?
I’ve never been particularly sporty growing up, and I would definitely lack confidence when it comes to certain sports, so we’d say team sports are not something I’d like to consider at this point in time. Whatever I would be doing, I would be joining it on my own.
Has anyone have any personal experiences of joining a hobby and making friends from it? What did they join? It is literally a totally new area for me, and I’m finding it a wee bit nerve wracking! I don’t know where to begin!! So any suggestions to ease me into it would be fantastic-thanks!!!!

I joined a hill walking club and met lovely people. Go away for the odd weekend here and there with them and I've become close friends with some of them outside of it as well. I'm not particularly sporty either so it was perfect for me.

3DataModem

Join a Musical Society.

Fantastic for meeting wide variety of people.

JuliusCaesar

meetup.com - lots of groups, especially if you are in Dublin. Most of them will give you the organiser's phone number, and they'll meet you and introduce you the first few times you go. It's specifically for getting to know people with the same interests as yourself, without having to commit yourself to going every week. Although that might help you get to know people to start off.

Mayboy

Hi,

Two friends started hillwalking and rock climbing (both in Dublin) both LOVE it - on loads of trips, weekend trips, huge social circle, romance ! the lot. Try! Might be great.

Good luck!

Pawwed Rig

You could try scuba diving. It is expensive to start but you meet lots of cool people.
Also a less healthy option would be boards beers in some of the forums around the place.

Tabitharose

Volunteering with a charity that interests you is a great way of meeting people.

I started doing voluntary work with animal rescues over 10 years ago, with no thoughts towards meeting new people, but looking back & looking at my circle of friends now, I met and made friends with a large number of really nice people as a result, one of whom I'd now consider one of my closest friends.

I think shared interests, be it hobbies, or an interest in helping the same cause, gives you a great starting point.

Hope that helps

superman28

I recommend meetup.com too,, its a great way to meet people,, just pick your interests,, and go along,, there are even just general social meet ups for people outside of any particular interests..

ahnow

Thanks so much everyone!!!!!!

LegacyUser

I started about 10 years ago and I had never been sporty before then.

Plenty of clubs around and I've made so many friends from it...

piston

I used to be very shy and lonely too and tried all the walking clubs, etc and it worked to a certain extent.

What has given me benefit in terms of meeting people and building confidence is taking up Salsa dancing. It's not something I would ever have considered but a good female friend (i'm male) who had been doing it for years insisted I came along and despite not having a clue about any kind of dance and fearing I would have two left feet, I found it's easy enough to get the basics right, it's good exercise and great fun and because partners are rotated, you get to know people very quickly.

Neyite

If you are not sporty, what about crafts? Sewing, knitting, Quilting, usually are ongoing and open to beginners. I started going to one last year, and have met up with classmates to go to exhibitions related to the hobby, and I love it.

There are also other kinds like photography, art, languages, dance, singing/music join a choir. Look for something thats more than just a class - that has a social element to it too, so for instance, a language society that organises events as well as lessons.