I always joke about having two full-time jobs. I work at a Digital Marketing Agency doing SEO until 4 Monday through Friday and then I come home and work on the blog, Instagram content and learning about this ever-changing industry. It’s really quite surprising how there’s even time to sleep. But along with a little shut-eye I think making time to work out, and for friends is a very important thing to do. But how? When it feels like you don’t have enough hours in the day how do you make time to make friends?
Co-workers
When I first moved to Chicago I knew no one, my sister was the only person I had in the city and obviously, she didn’t exactly work with me and we had separate lives. It’s not like we could hang out every day. So I turned to the people I spent a good portion of my day with… my co-workers. If you find people in your office that you have things in common with they can become some of your closest friends. That’s how I meet my amazing friend Alex. She was someone I could vent about work to, go to concerts, and talk about boys with. She is one of my closest friends in the city and definitely the OG.
Friends of Friends
This at first feels like you might be using your friends but I promise you it’s completely natural. When you start going out with people and they invite other friends to join obviously those people will also become your friends. You have a common link and as you get to know them can find other things other than your friend to bond over. Do things you both love without your group or bring everyone along for the best girls night ever. An incredible friend of a friend story for me is my oh so talented and ride-or-die Bianca. We met at a friends concert waiting around to go out after the show. She and I struck up a conversation talking about our mutual love for music, fashion, and photography and became instant best friends. We had never met until that night but had plenty of friends in common and now we are basically inseparable. I don’t know what I would do without her.
Common Interests
Of course, common interests like workout classes and extracurricular activities can be a great way to meet new friends and people that inspire you! I love my amazing friend Jennifer whom I met through taking her barre class! Moving here I signed up for ClassPass to stay in shape and took up barre as my favorite way to do so. I stumble upon her class at a small boutique studio and immediately fell in love with her energy and teaching style. She is so inspiring and coming to her class always brightens up my week.
Instagram/Social Media
Social media is also a great way to meet other like-minded people. I met my beautiful and inspiring friend Chloe through a photography social platform while looking for someone to shoot with. She is so sweet, and I swear we share a brain when it comes to the direction I want to take my photo content. On a whim, I saw her portfolio and knew she would put me at ease and be so easy to shoot with. Along with Chloe, I’ve also met so many wonderful bloggers through Facebook and Instagram. Going through #ChicagoInfluencer #ChicagoBlogger is a great way to meet other aspiring bloggers to do events and shoots with.
Bumble
Finally, Bumble BFF is a fantastic way to meet new friends. At first, when I signed up I was apprehensive. I was tired of going on dates and just wanted to meet some other girlfriends to stay at home and watch chick flicks in facemasks. I realized really quickly it was kind of like dating but with a lot less pressure. There were so bad dates but then there were some really good ones. I met my amazing friends Sammi and Paige on Bumble BFF. I think the biggest thing I learned from this is “when you know, you know” and “always be down for new experiences. The initial conversation on the app is important but can be kind of vapid. Meeting up in person you can really see how you both get along. Sammi and I spent the summer taking yoga classes together and she even got me out to clubs and Paige went to a blogger event with me and even took a weekend road trip to Toronto Canada! I love these girls and know I can always count on them for a good time.
How did you meet your best friend?