Making new friends sounds easy… until you actually have to do it.
Your stomach might feel funny.
Your hands might feel sweaty.
You might wonder, “What if they don’t like me?”
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not strange. You’re normal.
I remember my first day at a new school. I didn’t know where to sit. Everyone else seemed to already have a best friend. I held my backpack so tightly that my fingers hurt. I told myself, “Just say hi.” But my voice felt stuck. When I finally spoke, it came out so quietly I had to repeat it.
And you know what? That tiny, shaky “Hi” turned into a real friendship.
So let’s talk about how you can do it too.
Start Small — Really Small
You don’t need a big speech. You don’t need to be the funniest kid in the room.
Sometimes friendship begins with:
“Hi.”
“Can I sit here?”
“Do you want to play?”
That’s it.
It might feel like a big leap, but to the other person, it feels simple and friendly.
Look for Someone Who Might Feel Like You
Here’s a secret: sometimes the best person to talk to is the one who looks a little unsure too.
Maybe they’re standing alone.
Maybe they’re new.
Maybe they’re quietly watching others play.
They might be hoping someone notices them — just like you are.
Friendship doesn’t always start with the loudest person. Sometimes it starts with two shy people being brave at the same time.
It’s Okay If It Feels Awkward
Let’s be honest. Sometimes it’s awkward.
Sometimes there’s a pause.
Sometimes you run out of things to say.
Sometimes you say something silly and wish you could take it back.
That’s normal.
Real friendships don’t need perfect conversations. They just need kindness and time.
Be the Kind of Friend You Want
Think about what makes you feel happy around someone.
Is it when they:
Share?
Listen?
Laugh at your jokes?
Save you a seat?
You can be that person too.
Once, I dropped my pencils in class and they rolled everywhere. A girl I barely knew helped me pick them up. She didn’t make a big deal about it. She just smiled and said, “It happens.” We started talking after that.
Sometimes friendship begins with something that small.
Don’t Take It Personally If It Doesn’t Work
This part is important.
Not everyone will become your friend — and that’s okay.
If someone says, “Not right now,” or keeps playing with their group, it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It just means it wasn’t the right moment or the right match.
Friendship is like trying on shoes. Not every pair fits — but when one does, it feels right.
Be Yourself (Even the Slightly Weird Parts)
You don’t have to pretend to like something just to fit in.
If you love space facts, talk about them.
If you laugh loudly, laugh.
If you like reading during recess sometimes, that’s okay too.
The right friends won’t want a pretend version of you. They’ll like the real one.
Give It Time
Friendship doesn’t always happen in one day.
Sometimes it grows slowly:
First, you say hi.
Then you play once.
Then you start looking for each other at recess.
One day, you realize they’re your friend.
It’s not magic. It’s small moments adding up.
Final Thought
If you feel nervous about making new friends, that just means you care.
And somewhere nearby, there’s another child thinking:
“I hope someone talks to me.”
Your voice might shake.
Your smile might feel small.
But that one brave step — that simple “Hi” — could be the beginning of something really special.
And you are brave enough to say it.
Wonderful 🙌
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