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As adults, we often find it challenging to form new friendships, a sentiment echoed in numerous articles from Corporette (like this one, this one, and this one) and major publications such as NYT, Vox, and CNBC. A frequently recommended strategy is to join a club or enroll in a class. While many suggest book clubs, let’s explore beyond this traditional option. What creative and engaging types of clubs have you joined to forge new friendships with other women? After all, diving into an entire book can feel overwhelming during particularly busy phases of life, although audiobooks offer a convenient alternative!

We’d love to hear from you about the clubs that have successfully helped you make friends as an adult. For those of you who have participated in book clubs, what have your experiences been like? Have you successfully developed friendships through those gatherings?

Related: How to Make Friends as You Get Older

The Importance of Broadening Your Social Circle for a Fulfilling Life

Expanding your social circle not only brings joy but is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle as we age. Staying socially active contributes to our happiness and significantly impacts both our physical and mental well-being, a fact supported by research from the Mayo Clinic, Healthline, and the World Economic Forum. It’s essential to prioritize these connections, even if they may seem less relevant to some of us for many years to come.

On a personal note, I often find myself taking the initiative to arrange social gatherings, assuming the role of the “cruise director,” which we discussed in a previous post. I frequently have to follow up if text conversations with friends or potential friends stall, although I’m not the best at texting myself! While I don’t mind taking the lead, I know it can make some people anxious to reach out again after not receiving a response. Have you had similar experiences, dear readers?

My Journey with Book Clubs: Friendships and Experiences

Reflecting on my own experiences with book clubs, I once loosely organized a neighborhood book club several years ago. We typically gathered at someone’s home, although we occasionally enjoyed meetings at a charming dessert-and-wine venue. While most members read the assigned book each month, our discussions, which began with literary analysis, gradually transitioned into conversations about our children. This shift was perfectly fine for me; it’s always beneficial to share and vent about parenting challenges with fellow moms, though I could understand if child-free participants felt overwhelmed by the frequent kid-centric dialogue.

Interestingly, I didn’t forge new friendships through this club, likely because I already knew many of the members, which made it easier to avoid vulnerability and deeper connections. Additionally, we never had any male neighbors join our group, and most attendees happened to be mothers. Our club maintained a steady membership for several years, but eventually, it dwindled, partially due to my own burnout from organizing it, which isn’t unusual for many book clubs. (Let’s just say my executive functioning skills could use some work!)

I’m currently considering joining a new book club but have yet to attend a meeting. Does anyone else struggle with balancing the commitment of reading a book by a deadline or finding that the selections don’t resonate with you? This is precisely where I find myself struggling at the moment.

Related: How to Make New Friends and Network

While book clubs can be enriching, we’re eager to hear your experiences! Fortunately, there are numerous other laid-back activity groups available that can help you cultivate new friendships beyond the realm of book clubs.

Engaging Activity Groups to Join for Building Friendships

Delightful Baking Clubs for Sweet Friendship

This delightful and tasty idea was inspired by a comment from one of our readers! Here’s what the original poster shared:

I’m part of a monthly cake club with about six people and it’s my turn to host. The cake club is a monthly gathering of neighborhood women where each person takes a turn hosting and baking a cake. We come together to enjoy the cake and connect. The pressure of hosting is something I’ve placed on myself because we have some incredible bakers in our group. Initially, we only focused on cake, but we’ve since expanded to include snacks, as participants often spend the afternoon chatting.

This concept sounds not only enjoyable but also requires minimal commitment! You might also consider joining cookie clubs or participating in less structured holiday gatherings. For instance, some women in my area, organized through the “Women of [Town]” Facebook group, come together to share homemade cookies at someone’s home, allowing everyone to take home a variety of treats.

Of course, it’s crucial that participants are mindful of food allergies and other dietary restrictions. Be sure to bring the recipe or share it with everyone ahead of time to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Thought-Provoking Article Clubs for Engaging Discussions

I discovered this captivating idea years ago and it has stuck with me ever since. The variety of articles and opinion pieces available is limitless, providing ample material to spark lively discussions, and there’s considerably less pressure to read a couple of articles compared to finishing an entire book. If brevity is key, you might even think about forming a short-story club!

The premise is straightforward: the group selects an article to discuss and then gathers to share their thoughts. Articles with sensational (or outrage-inducing) headlines can be particularly engaging, though individual experiences may vary. You could even indulge in the fantasy of being part of a French salon from centuries past. If desired, members can establish a “no politics” rule, although today’s blurred line between politics and human rights can complicate matters.

Here are some recent examples of articles that might inspire discussion—plus, don’t forget to check our weekly news summaries for additional material:

• “Why ‘Success Is Quieter’ for Young Americans — WSJ [gift link]
• “Can the ‘Princess Treatment’ Go Too Far?” — NYT [gift link]
• “What’s Happening to Reading?” — The New Yorker

Related: 10 Ways to Make Time for Friends When You Work a Lot

Creative Craft Clubs to Unleash Your Imagination

I joined an informal craft club that welcomes women (and gender non-conforming individuals!) through a Facebook group, and during my one visit, I thoroughly enjoyed it. At that gathering, we crafted simple yet charming candy corn garlands. Although mine isn’t perfect, I hang it up every fall to celebrate the season. We engaged in casual conversations while we cut and glued, and although I didn’t form new friendships during that visit, I believe I could if I attended regularly. (I already knew most of the attendees.)

It’s important to have someone who is detail-oriented and enthusiastic to coordinate these gatherings (or you can rotate hosting responsibilities) because a craft club necessitates someone who can brainstorm fun, simple activities, procure supplies or provide a supply list, and be ready to demonstrate the crafts. Offering light snacks would enhance the experience, but ensure that all materials are non-toxic to avoid any mishaps.

If you’re like me and don’t particularly enjoy “paint and sip” events (no judgment here!), a craft club is a fantastic alternative.

Readers, please share your experiences: Have you forged friendships through activity clubs like these or through book clubs? Do you have any additional ideas to contribute?

Stock photo via Pexels / Andrea Piacquadio.