There are lots of reasons you may not be on a first-name basis with your neighbors.
Or maybe you just have a hard time initiating contact with people under any circumstances.
Ive lived in my current home for 11 years, and have very few connections to show for it.
Its not that I dont want to know my neighbors; Im just excellent at awkwardly keeping to myself.
Here are a few neighborly strategies for the rest of us.
you’re free to execute this step in a few ways.
Spend regular time in your front yard.
Sit on the porch at the same time every day and eventually someone will say hello.
Repeat your walks, short or long, every day and see how quickly the intel piles up.
Try this for a week and just smile at anyone who makes eye contact.
Maybe next week you might wave or say hello.
Connect online
We are all more comfortable socializing with screens between us these days, right?
Take advantage of that tendency and get active in your neighborhood’s social media groups on Facebook or Nextdoor.
I live on Sunflower Lane, and Id love to get to know more people in our neighborhood.
Comment below with your street name and your favorite thing about our neighborhood.
Yes, it feels corny, but its a low risk way to get the ball running.
Try a garage sale or library book sale.
Try five minutes; if you have to bail, no one will notice.
Ask them about their garden!
Asking questions is the easiest way to connect because you are placing the focus on the other person.
If you have a dog, talk to other dog people on your walks.
If you have a kid, ask other parents about stuff to do with kids.
you could be the one to break the spell.
Its okay to acknowledge that youve lived in the neighborhood for a while without getting to know people.
Look for evidence that they are friendlyor that they havent been paying attention to you at all.
Throughout this process, dont forget to practice self-compassion.
Its okay to take your time, and its never too late to start connecting.
Building relationships is a slow process.
