Think singles groups are just for finding romance? Change that perspective. A good singles group will introduce you to other unmarried people, which can be a blessing especially when you’re the only single friend left in your existing group. Having other people who share the same perspective as you will help you bond quickly and give you someone to do things with.

Many singles never think about joining a group until all their friends start marrying and suddenly they don’t know any other single people.


You don’t need to end the friendships you have with your existing, married friends, but you do need to form your own support group of people who understand where you are coming from.

Note that I’m not talking about joining an online dating site for friends (which I do not recommend), but a group that meets in person with other singles who want to hang out and do things. This isn’t about dating but about finding friends.

 

Some of the Events That a Singles Group Might Organize

Singles groups offer a range of activities that will have you meeting a variety of different people. Some of the things a group can offer are:

• Travel to a sporting event.  Tailgate before the game and then get seats next to each other to cheer on your team.
• A night out at the theater. If your married friends aren’t into the arts or theater, going with a singles group can be a good alternative. You’ll get to enjoy your love of the arts without feeling uncomfortable that you are there alone. Many singles groups have dinner beforehand and then watch the performance together after that.

• Nights that are all about team sports like volleyball, golf, and darts. The group may organize an event that you could attend even if you didn’t know the rest of the people on your team.
• Movie nights. A singles group might agree to meet in the lobby of a theater and see the film together. You pay for your tickets and popcorn yourselves but since you are with a group you don’t have to worry about sitting alone.
• Dinners out. A group might gather at a restaurant, grab a table, and get to know each other.

 

How Singles Groups Help Your New and Existing Friendships

A good singles group allows you to remove the pressure on your existing friendships. When your friends marry, they have different priorities. A singles group can help you go out and have fun without feeling bad that your married friends are busy with their spouses and families.

Groups like this give you a way to meet other people. The best groups are those that have a variety of activities and allow you to connect in a fun but easygoing manner.

Making the Most of Singles Groups

The key to making friends in this manner is to not focus on dating or romance but to make small talk and just get to know people. You’ll naturally gravitate toward certain people and a friendship can form. Some things to keep in mind:

• Even though your mind might be on friendship alone, others may be looking for romance. Don’t blame them for this (it is, after all, a singles group) but at the same time make your intentions clear.
• Stretch your comfort zone. Perhaps you’ve never had an interest in taking an arts class, for example, but if you want to meet people give it a try. See what kinds of people are there, and admit that this is your first time. You might find that even though you’re not artistically inclined, for instance, you like chatting with people who are.
• Meetup is a good place to look for singles groups, but also do an Internet search to see what types of groups pop up. You might find one place that organizes a variety of group activities or an organization that specializes in one thing (like a museum or restaurant, for instance) that has “singles nights.” Both these are good resources for meeting other single people.

 

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