You know that funny, outgoing woman you wish you were friends with? Invite her over.
The coworker who you’ve been saying, “We should get together!” to for years? Invite her over.
That mom you keep running into at the park? Invite her and her kids over for a playdate and lunch.
The family who just moved to your neighborhood that you’d like to get to know better? Invite them over for dinner.
The college students who go to your church? Invite them over for a game night.
You may not know the first thing about “entertaining.” Invite them over anyway.
You’re worried your house is too small. Invite them over anyway.
You don’t know what to cook. Invite them over anyway.
You’ve never had someone like them over before. Invite them over anyway.
You’ve never had anyone over before. Invite them over anyway.
Invite them over because making friends as an adult is hard.
Invite them over because they have a story to tell.
Invite them over because extending an invitation shows them that you care.
Invite them over because sharing a meal around your table is a meaningful way to connect. You form friendships around the table. You make conversation around the table. You listen, laugh, and do life around the table.
Invite them over, and your guests will become your friends.
This is such a wonderful message! I love your vibe, it’s so refreshing. “Invite them over” is such a beautiful mantra – looking forward to seeing where your new website goes. Bon chance, mazel tov, and well done! 🙂
Thanks so much, Madeline!
LOVE your idea for a blog!!
We tend to feel a bit overwhelmed at the thought of inviting people to our homes so this is perfect.
I used to feel like everything had to be perfect but over the years (and maybe age/wisdom!) have taught me that you’re good friends are just happy you invited them.
I wish you much success!
I’m over from the Problogger Honour Roll…How did you like the course?
Anna from A Small Business Life
Hi, Anna! Thanks so much! You are spot on — people are just thankful for the invite and to spend time with you. Everything else is just bonus!
I enjoyed the Problogger course — I feel like I need to go back through one more time just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll check your blog out soon!
I adore this philosophy; people think that inviting people over involves a lot of planning and preparation, but that’s not necessarily the case unless it’s a very formal event. It’s perfectly possible to have lots of small informal gatherings. Never mind the toys on the floor or the clutter or whatever else people worry about. Life happens and everyone knows that and accepts it.
Congratulations on your new blog; I look forward to seeing where you go with it.
Hi, Awanthi. Thanks for visiting! One of my best friends from growing up lives in India — I love the proper tea post on your blog. Hope you’ll come by again!
I love it! So often we worry about putting ourselves out there and being open for rejection, but we forget that there are people out there just waiting for the invitation. Especially in big cities; it feels harder to breach that barrier keeping everyone strangers. I will definitely start doing this!
Lily, I think you’re on to something about big cities. It is definitely since moving to a big city that making friendships has been harder for me, for sure. Everyone is going in such different directions all the time that it takes intentionality to really build friendships. Glad to hear that you want to start inviting people over — go for it! I’d love to hear how it goes.