Childhood activities tend to be geared toward structured socialization—we want kids to learn how to be social, so we arrange play groups, after-school activities, and other opportunities for them to interact with others in a safe space. Provided you felt comfortable in the company of other kids, making friends in childhood was probably a lot easier than it is today.

Many people report shrinking circles of friends after their college years, but a robust circle of friends is crucial to long-term health and well-being. Whether you’re looking to build a bigger support network or just trying to find a social life in a city you just moved to or a job you just started, here are a few things to try in your adult search for friends.

Building and maintaining friendships takes time, which can be in short supply as you get older. Between jobs, long-term relationships, families, and a thousand other things, when are you supposed to find the space for a social life?

Thankfully, time spent on friendships can be cumulative, and all of us can find a few moments in the day to reach out to someone and start building trust and common ground. Strike up a conversation with a coworker while waiting for a meeting to start. Get to........

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