Today Laura is joined by Paige Dempsey, a feminist dating and relationship coach, to discuss the challenges many women face in making new friends as adults, especially after significant life transitions like divorce. They share vulnerably about their experiences putting themselves out there to find connection, whether showing up for meetup groups, joining social media communities, or simply striking up conversations at local events. Paige offers practical advice for taking it slow when getting to know new people, asking questions, and being open even when feeling uncomfortable or fearing rejection. 

Are you looking to grow your circle of friends in this season of life? Join the conversation now to get tangible tips and an empathetic perspective!

Timestamps

[2:02] The difficulty of making friends as an adult

[6:54] Advice for being okay with discomfort when meeting new people

[12:04] Where to find potential new friends (social media, local groups, events)

[15:43] Laura's experience trying to make new friends

[18:05] Importance of asking questions, being open, and not rushing into friendships

[19:35] Importance of being participatory at events

[21:54] The opening line Paige uses to start conversations

[21:12] Extending invitations and not taking rejection personally

[22:41] Recommendation for the book "Platonic" on making friends as an adult

Quotes

• We don't have to go off the high board into like the 12-foot area, you know, in the beginning. We just have to start with the beginning, which is like, let's have coffee and chat for an hour and see how that goes.
• If you are having trouble meeting people in 2024, that is on you. It's never hard in the history of ever, has it been easier to find humans to connect with, with this little portable device that is always in your hand or on the or in front of you.
• We as women are good at having conversations. We're good at connecting with people. There are people in your life that you know how to connect with and those skills don't go away.
• If you go to events, you have to be participatory in meeting the people saying hello, and having conversations.
• The best opening line, I mean the one that I always use if I walk into a room or a group or a table or a fundraiser and stick out my hand and say, hi, I'm Paige.
• Let's get back to that energy of being kids and not worrying about, you know, what they will think, what I am wearing, what they are wearing, and all that stuff.

RESOURCES:

FOLLOW THE PODCAST: http://www.thatswhereimatpodcast.com

BOOKS & JOURNALS: https://www.amazon.com/author/laurarichards

FOLLOW PAIGE: 

www.paigedempseycoaching.com

https://www.instagram.com/datingcoachpaige

https://www.tiktok.com/@datingcoachpaige

https://www.facebook.com/paigedempseycoaching/

"Platonic" by Marisa G. Franco (on making friends as an adult): https://drmarisagfranco.com/secrets-to-making-friends-as-an-adult/