Making friends as an adult always proves to be tough. We no longer have access to a pool of people with similar interests as we did when we were on sports teams or going to school. Most adults meet friends at work or through their partners, and while this is convenient, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are are the most compatible people for us. Meeting mindful folks can be even tougher as we are interested in a specific type of person. Don’t fret. There are many great places and ways to meet your next mindful bud.

Ways to make mindful friends as an adult:

• Join a Meetup group that focuses on meditation
• Go to a yoga class
• Seek out events that mindful people would attend
• Find a yoga or meditation festival near you
• Look for online forums conversing meditation and mindfulness
• Attend a mindfulness book reading or author signing

Join a Meetup group that focuses on meditation

You’re not alone in wanting to make mindful friends as an adult. There are dozens of groups in every major city that focus on meditation and mindfulness. Even if you are from a small town, with a quick Google search, you can find a group that meets weekly or monthly.

Join the group. Attend the meetings and begin to network. Once you feel comfortable in the group setting, you’ll start to make connections with other mindful people. If you sense a friendship blossoming, don’t be afraid to ask that person out on a friend date without the meditation group.

Go to a yoga class

Yoga and mindfulness go hand in hand. While a yoga class in itself is a solitary act, before and after class is a great time to connect. Arrive to class early and insert yourself into the group chatter. You never know, your new best bud may be in attendance. If you are not comfortable at one yoga studio, don’t let that deter you. There are many kinds of yoga and yoga studios, and there is indeed one that is right for you.

Seek out events that mindful people would attend

Mindfulness and meditation is probably not your only interest, and this is true for your future friend. Start perusing your town’s monthly calendar and highlight a few events that interest you. Look for activities focused on cultivating awareness whether it’s for the earth, the community itself, or a particular hobby. Community events draw a wonderful mix of people with similar interests and are a great first step in making new friends.

Find a yoga or meditation festival near you

Festivals are a great sphere to make friends as an adult. Many in attendance look forward to the event for months and are amped to smile and chat with new people. Sign up as an attendee or even a volunteer. While at the festival, try to seek out opportunities to interact in smaller groups as well. Maybe there is a workshop or class you can attend. These smaller groups give people the chance to connect on a deeper level.

Look for online forums conversing meditation and mindfulness

It seems we spend a lot ​of time connecting online these days. While we don’t want your mindfulness friendship to exist solely online, this is an excellent place to start. Google, Reddit, and Meetup act as good search engines and starter forums to find events and people to connect with who have a common interest.

Attend a mindfulness book reading or author signing

Keep your eye out for book readings and author signings near you. Pay specific attention to books that deal with mindfulness and meditation. Arrive early and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with other attendees. If you have a chance to chat with the author afterward or during the Q&A session, go ahead and ask where he or she has met mindfulness friends in the past. This could open a door for you with other attendees who are also looking for a mindful community.

You may feel alone sometimes, but we all do. Know that other mindful folks are looking for a friend too. Start your friend-finding journey by attending mindfulness events and inserting yourself into spaces where you know meditative people will be hanging out. Good luck!

TILL is an online community of mindful friends. Join us by posting an affirmation today.

Photo: Priscilla Du Pre