6 Tips to Overcome the Scheduling Struggles of Adult Friendships

If you feel like friendships become more difficult to maintain as you get older, you’re not alone. Loneliness is an epidemic among Americans, and much of it stems from scheduling struggles preventing friendships between adults. 

Humans have created a world where work obligations leave little time for socializing, but forming relationships is an integral part of what it means to be human. So, what can you do to combat loneliness and foster relationships? Here are six tips to overcome the scheduling struggles of adult friendships. 

Why Don’t Adults Have More Friends? The 2 Main Factors 

The two biggest scheduling factors impacting adult friendships are work obligations and family obligations. These play crucial roles in society, but they don’t create a full picture of a healthy adult life. 

Many adults spend most of their time at work, and it’s sometimes difficult to form genuine friendships at the office. Our economy’s competitive nature encourages behaviors that perpetuate mistrust, and trust is crucial to relationships. 

Family obligations come with different hindrances, and many parents may feel guilty about giving up time with family to spend time with friends. However, both are important! 

6 Tips for Making Time With Friends Despite Scheduling Struggles

A lot of people feel a gaping void without adult friendship, which can morph into depression in severe cases. Here are six tips to make time with friends despite your scheduling conflicts. 

1. Think Outside the Happy Hour Box 

Career-minded folks have long lined up at the bar at 5 p.m. to unwind and socialize after a long day. However, this scenario only works if you and your friends end your days at the same time. It’s also problematic because many people wish to avoid alcohol’s negative effects and prefer to skip this environment. 

Who said you can’t meet at other times, like at brunch? Cafes that are open between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. allow folks to work and socialize over matcha, chai and a pastry or two. You can meet up with friends during your lunch hour or take your work to go and get some hours in from the cafe if you’re both allowed. 

2. Make It Kid-Friendly 

If the little ones make meeting up hard, invite them to join the fun. Playdates can be as simple as gathering at the local park, but that’s not your only option. Activities like bowling, miniature golf and laser tag are a blast for kids and parents — and they help you get more exercise! 

3. Call for Help 

Many parents think they have to do it all, but relying on other people sometimes is OK. You can take the in-laws up on their offer to let the kids stay the night, ask your partner to take over for a couple of hours or call another family member to come babysit. Let them take the reins to give you time off to schedule a little adult connection.

Team up with your BFF to save costs. You and your bestie might split the price of a sitter or investigate nanny-sharing programs to save money and gain more time to chat about something besides the Teletubbies. 

4. Do Chores Together 

Do you and your BFF both have to tackle spring cleaning? Schedule a fun joint closet cleanout where you can swap unwanted clothes — you’ll go greener, add to your wardrobe and enjoy buddy time. 

5. Meet Over Errands 

We all need to buy groceries, so can you coordinate your trips to the store or farmers market? Then, maybe you can meal prep together to make cooking more enjoyable.  

6. Sweat It Out Together

Even the busiest people should make time to care for their bodies, so why not connect with your friends at the gym? You’ll feel less embarrassed trying group fitness classes with a buddy the first time you go, and elliptical time flies by when you get a good gab session going. 

Solving Schedule Struggles in Adult Friendships

It’s tough to get together with friends once work and family obligations intervene. However, relationships are a crucial part of a healthy life. Use the above tips to solve the scheduling problems in your adult friendships. You’ll feel more connected to the people around you and have the security of a strong support network when tough times strike.