No matter what stage of life we’re in, it’s always a good idea to meet new people and make new friends. As humans, we are social creatures above all else and being able to share our lives with other like minded people has been proven to make us happier and can even improve our physical health too. And while all this is true, it can still be difficult to find the right places to make these new acquaintances. That’s why we put together this quiz to help you find the right social groups for you, regardless of your interests or stage in life.
Question 1: Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?
Think about this question carefully as it’s an important first step to recognising the kind of people you want to be around. As an introvert, it can be difficult to be around plenty of bombastic, outgoing people and can lead to more stress than joy. Similarly, as an extrovert, you may feel unhappy to be around people that don’t have the same joy of sharing experiences.
Possible social groups for introverts: coffee mornings, book clubs, yoga.
Possible social groups for extroverts: debate clubs, acting troupes, team sports.
Question 2: Are you looking for physical activity?
Regardless of what age you’re at, it can be tough to get enough exercise and take care of your body physically. So, if you are someone who’s looking to keep fit while you meet people, then there are plenty of exercise related groups and teams you can enjoy.
But even within the realm of fitness, it’s important to find the right match for you. To one person, getting involved in a football team might sound great while another person may prefer something calmer like Tai Chi.
Similarly, you may be interested in finding a group with a shared fitness goal like a walking group. It’s all down to figuring out what you want and then finding a social group that shares your goals.
Possible social groups for team sports: five-a-side football, touch rugby, tennis clubs
Possible social groups for hitting fitness goals: walking troupes, swimming groups, cycling groups.
Possible social groups for more low intensity exercise: yoga, golf, Tai Chi.
Question 3: Are you looking to share/develop an interest?
Not all clubs and social activities need to involve exercise. There are plenty of fun ways to meet people that involve sharing your creativity, knowledge and passions. The exciting thing is that you can do practically anything you could want and find people with just the same passion and joy as you.
Perhaps you are a creative person who wants to find people with similar tastes in art and music. Or maybe you even want to take a hands-on approach and play an instrument in a group.
Similarly, you may have interests in making an impact in your local community or beyond. I can assure you there are plenty of people who will share your world view and be interested in making an impact just as much as you.
Possible social groups for creative discussion: books clubs, movie clubs, photography clubs.
Possible social groups for creative participation: bands, choirs, theatre troupes.
Possible social groups for social engagement: political parties, recycling groups, volunteering.
Possible social groups for miscellaneous interests: arts and crafts, debate clubs, gardening.
Question 4: What are you trying to get out of the group?
Finally, while it’s true that you can only get out of a group what you put into it, it’s important to ask yourself what exactly you’re looking for.
Do you want to meet new friends or perhaps even a new partner? Or maybe you want to learn a new skill in a social environment like cooking, pottery or even a new language.
The important thing to remember is that learning new things and meeting new people can be difficult when you’re in an uncomfortable environment. That’s why you need to look for groups with people who will compliment you. If it’s about learning a skill, you want to find people at the same level as you. Similarly, when you are meeting new people, it’s important to find others who want the same things out of the relationship.
Possible social groups for meeting new people: speed dating, meet and greets, support groups.
Possible social groups for learning new skills: filmmaking clubs, martial arts dojos, language cafes.
How to find the right social groups?
The first thing you may want to do if you want to join a social club is search online and find local groups. While this may work it does limit your choices and it may be difficult to find the perfect group for you. That’s why so many people love The Joy Club – ‘the online activity club for people who enjoy keeping busy!
When you join The Joy Club, you’ll find many of the activities and interests listed in this article and more, plus daily reads for those looking for inspiration of the more relaxed kind. Premium membership costs just £5 per month and all new members get a one-month, no obligation free trial.
Interested? Click here to find out more and sign up for free today!