New Friends & the New You

Growing the New You by Meeting New Friends

When you're in a troubled marriage, your inner spirit withers. Feeling unloved does that. But you don't have to wait for divorce to begin healing.

Begin building the New You by getting out and exploring new interests - without your spouse. Why? If you do separate and divorce, you won't want your ex to show up when you're out socializing!

Tips:

• look for places that aren't too far from home, but not next door either.
• start with a class you've wanted to try for a long time.
• go to a familiar place alone or invite a buddy to go with you. (Not someone of your spouse's gender.)

Workshops and classes offer the best possibilities to make new friends. At the top of the resource lists are community college classes. The low cost, the handy locations and the incredible range of offerings make these winners.

Check their websites for listings and see if you can order a print catalog. A sampling from the St. Louis Community College Continuing Ed Spring catalog includes

• Yoga
• Starting Your Own Business
• CPR and First Aid
• Computer Technology
• Caricature Drawing, Weaving, Beaded Earrings
• Cooking and Wine Making
• Wine Tasting
• Music, Theater, Dancing
• Meditation
• Home Repair
• Foreign Languages
• Bridge, Fencing
• Swimming, Water Aerobics, Zumba

You'll maximize your chances of starting new friendships if you sign up for classes that go for at least 3 sessions and plan to arrive early each time. That provides more time to chat.

Tip: And when you talk with those new friends, really listen! Make notes afterwards so you don't forget that Danny's new dog is a collie and Pat just planted tomatoes at home.

Swap business cards if you have them or, at the last class, swap email addresses so you can stay in touch.

And remember to smile!

Peace,

Lin

More places to explore the world with the growing New You coming up!