Two Minutes Du Jour

This morning, I walked with two women—one I met at an alumni event and one who, to my delight, is an alumna who also lives here in the Twin Cities.

We share a unique bond: attending the same boarding school and graduating within a year of each other. I imagined we’d find shared interests, and we certainly did.

As we walked, we thoroughly enjoyed sharing our life paths, discovering how much we have in common despite the years that had passed since school and the fact that we didn’t have the same friend circles.

Making new friends is as important as staying connected with existing ones. As we get older, it’s easy to fall into routines with the people we already know or to lament the geographic distance between.

Yet, there’s something neat about flexing your friendship muscles to connect with someone new. These new friendships can enrich our lives, offering fresh perspectives and broadening our support networks.

Walking together was a perfect way to bond. Instead of meeting for coffee or wine, we chose a healthier alternative—getting outside and moving. Walking is such a simple activity that allows for relaxed conversation, deepening the connection in a way that sitting across from each other might not.

The best part? We’ve already put a date on the calendar for our next walk. Building new friendships takes intention and consistency. By setting a follow-up date, we’re committing to nurturing this new bond and continuing to explore the paths our lives are on, and we’re reaching out to a few more of our alums from the same era.

So, whether you’re meeting someone new or reconnecting with an old friend, consider doing something active together. It’s a rewarding way to strengthen your relationship and take care of your health at the same time. And don’t forget to set the next date—you’ll be glad you did.

Links Du Jour:

How to Make New Friends in Your 30s and 40s – Much Better Adventures

Making Friends in your 40s and Why it’s so Important – Body and Soul

5 Proven Ways to Make Meaningful Friendships as an Adult – Today

Why Making Friends Midlife is So Hard – The Atlantic

Making Friends after 50 – Web MD

How You Can Make All Kinds of Friends After 60 – The Ethel from AARP