Submitted by No-Dot-2283 t3_10fo8wl in newhaven
I (22F) just went through a break up and I've been struggling with loneliness. I don't have a ton of friends and was wondering some good ways to make more. I'm autistic and introverted which doesn't help lol.
I second these suggestions, especially the bike co-op (thats where i made friends when i first moved here from across the country). Gather is especially good with plenty of events, even some called "authentic relating" which to my knowledge are just social events to meet people authentically. They also do trivia, live music and so on.
In my experience, it's very possible to meet people through smaller restaurants/bars
If you want to start out small, there's a nice bar / restaurant that has a very nice clientele. Blue Orchid. It's a bit unknown but it's a bit easier to make friends since its not very crowded and you'll run into the same people over and over. The owners are also very nice and friendly and really make you feel at home. They also have the best happy hour in New Haven that I know of Fri/Sat 10 to close. LGTB friendly as well.
BAR as well but it gets hard to have a conversation if it gets packed
Bumble also has a friend feature as well.
I'd say that making the first new friend outside your existing circle is usually the hardest, but once you know one of two people it gets easier since they can introduce you to more people. So don't get discouraged, it's possible :)
Seconding this! My partner is also introverted and a bookworm, with the added stress of a demanding job they dont usually have the energy for the usual weekend bars etc especially since they dont drink either - but the orchid is the exception. We've met most of our New Haven friends there and now do non-bar related activities with them.
Thirding this! Blue orchid is my New Haven "Cheers", for those of you who get the 80s TV show reference.
What do you like to do for fun? Or what have you can wanting to try out? Finding others who share your interests is a great place to start
To be completely honest, I'm kind of a homebody and bookworm. But I'm willing to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. I'm just unsure of how to put myself out there.
Check out Elm City Games. There are lots of likeminded 20-somethings hanging out with lowkey indoor hobbies
Fellow general homebody here! Based off your interest in books, I'd suggest checking out the Institute Library downtown. They have a lot of events.
Neverending Books is funky and also has events.
There's a local sci-fi and fantasy book club listed on Meetup that appears to be active.
I also suggest browsing local meetups (previous link) in general. That's how I met a lot of my friends here. It was for an activity I'd never done before. I was nervous but ended up meeting a lot of great people, many of whom I've now been friends with for years.
Gather has a sober hang out this week for both platonic and relationship people. It was on another post in here.
I was also struggling with loneliness last year. I've made some good friends in new haven now, but it can feel like a long road. I like meeting new people, but a lot of the options to meet people are group oriented, and I find it difficult to make connections in a group setting. If you'd like to voice chat or go for a walk, feel free to DM me :)
You might find some ideas in this recent post: https://www.reddit.com/r/newhaven/comments/101hfrq/im_moving_to_new_haven_having_never_previously/
Thank you!
(21f) if you ever want to play video games online, dunno if that's something you like, feel free to dm me. Also, if you ever want to chit chat. I just moved to New Haven, similarly have no friend(s) in the area atm.
im looking to make new friends too! i (23f) also don’t have a ton of friends here and am also autistic and introverted. please feel free to dm me!!
Sorry about the breakup (or congrats? Idk lol) but what are your interests? After I went through a breakup, I dove headfirst into activities, kickball, orangetheory classes, bball and a few others. I met guys there that I'm still friends with to this day bc we have a common bond built-in.
In the above comment, I said that I'm a homebody and bookworm. But I am willing to get out of my comfort zone. However, I am very much not athletic lol
Ok bookworm, do u love the art of literature enough to value someone else's interpretation of it?
Do you do any knitting or sewing or crafts?
not OP but any suggestions for people who do (23 f here)
There are a bunch of knitting groups around. If you search in this sub for knitting you'll see. I'm starting one that meets tomorrow in Hamden at the library but there are others in NH proper. DM me if you're interested in mine, it's queer-oriented but anyone is welcome as long as we keep it a safe space for everybody.
I can talk music all day. You into music shoot me a DM.
I sent you a dm with an invite to an event!
Hey. Sorry to hear about the breakup. You can certainly join meetup groups for whatever you're interested in. Local Facebook groups. When I moved here, I didn't know anyone either but I like cycling so I talked to one of the shops about weekly group rides. Met some people doing that. A lot of the running stores do weekly runs if that's your thing too. Or there's book clubs. Depending on your interests, stop by one of the local shops and just talk to them about upcoming events.
Go to the library.
If you are affiliated with Yale, you can try Gryphons pub
fabs065 t1_j4ydbch wrote
Check out the Neverending Bookstore on State Street for shows and free books and you might meet folks that are in your vibe. Then there's the Bradley Street Bike Co-op around the corner, and Gather New Haven also up the street. All good spots to find interesting people