How I Made Friends

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  • Опубліковано 6 сер 2018
  • In which John talks about the challenges of making friends in adulthood, and how he made his first friends after moving to Indianapolis eleven years ago. This video was inspired by Hank's video, How Do Adults Make Friends? • How Do Adults Make Fri...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,2 тис.

  • @mariacargille1396
    @mariacargille1396 5 років тому +1970

    "I thought I had failed. In fact, though, I just hadn't succeeded yet." That is the wisest thing I've heard in a long time. Thanks, John.

    • @karlihigley1948
      @karlihigley1948 5 років тому +1

      Maria Cargille +

    • @almsthvn
      @almsthvn 5 років тому +3

      I had chill-bumps - and I'm way over 40 :)

    • @camelopardalis84
      @camelopardalis84 5 років тому +13

      +Marie Cargille After "I'd tried going to things, I'd tried to make friends, and I thought I had failed. In fact, though, I just hadn't" I was so expecting his statement to continue with "tried hard enough". I'm really glad it didn't.

    • @afroceltduck
      @afroceltduck 5 років тому +1

      +

    • @susumnasen4783
      @susumnasen4783 5 років тому +1

      +

  • @BbyPigeon
    @BbyPigeon 5 років тому +705

    Guys the real answer is that you befriend an extrovert who is willing to adopt you. It’s your best chance.

    • @untappedinkwell
      @untappedinkwell 5 років тому +4

      +++

    • @raraavis7782
      @raraavis7782 5 років тому +15

      IncipientBeauty
      Yep. That works. I was best friends for almost 3 with an extremely extrovert and popular girl in my late twenties. We sadly had a falling out at some point, but I have never had as much fun before or after with anyone else. Sigh.

    • @BbyPigeon
      @BbyPigeon 5 років тому +40

      may we all rise to be that extroverted friend for someone else

    • @RomanZolanski123
      @RomanZolanski123 4 роки тому +1

      IncipientBeauty amen sister

    • @ginge641
      @ginge641 3 роки тому +8

      That's pretty much exactly what Miles did in Looking for Alaska.

  • @CityBeautiful
    @CityBeautiful 5 років тому +1614

    "Towns are made out of people" is a great way to think of it. :D

    • @ragemaster0587
      @ragemaster0587 5 років тому +18

      New york is made out of terrible apartments and cement

    • @crystalclare1000
      @crystalclare1000 5 років тому +39

      Are paper towns made out of paper people?

    • @muhilan8540
      @muhilan8540 5 років тому +5

      Fancy seeing you here. Also, can you make a video about trains? Not any train specifically but like different types of vehicles on rails in cities

    • @CityBeautiful
      @CityBeautiful 5 років тому +6

      It's on my list! I don't know when I'll get to it, though.

    • @czdaniel1
      @czdaniel1 5 років тому +2

      +RageMaster05 -- Yes, but the concrete _foundation the terrible apartment is built on_ contains Jimmy Hoffa. So it's _Kinda_ made of people

  • @BenRollman
    @BenRollman 5 років тому +338

    "Old, like 40. And had kids and stuff." Hey now.

    • @nechma13
      @nechma13 5 років тому +12

      Ben Rollman john is old now

    • @BenRollman
      @BenRollman 5 років тому +5

      N. J. Saroff Yup. We have club shirts.

  • @zoes7986
    @zoes7986 5 років тому +640

    Making friends as an introvert involves latching onto a more extraverted type and making more friends through them

    • @Alexis-jw7ot
      @Alexis-jw7ot 5 років тому +104

      Zoe S Or getting 'adopted' by said extroverts and having them drag you to everything

    • @M.M.Y.B
      @M.M.Y.B 5 років тому +57

      or find the little island or introverts and sort of sneak in there. Just don't talk at first, then start talking slowly, and eventually you will already be their best friend.

    • @milicakrunic4898
      @milicakrunic4898 5 років тому +12

      Zoe S I feel like I've been doing that my entire life

    • @fugithegreat
      @fugithegreat 5 років тому +24

      Yeah I would probably never see the light of day if it weren´t for my extraverted husband dragging me to stuff and forcing me to talk to people! haha

    • @breebell468
      @breebell468 5 років тому

      +

  • @OmarsHafsa
    @OmarsHafsa 5 років тому +227

    2:44 "I asked for Chris' number and he gave it to me" SO CUTE!!

    • @Hankblue
      @Hankblue Рік тому

      Love the little proud smile he has when he says that 😄

  • @mariykaauber1743
    @mariykaauber1743 5 років тому +217

    This is a general "thank you" to all the generous people who make the first move and invite new friends over to watch TV and join Indie car fantasy leagues. I'm always too nervous to make those initial moves in a new friendship and I always feel so excited and wanted when someone thinks to invite me over 💕

    • @MsDogleaf
      @MsDogleaf Рік тому +4

      Yes people like that are the best
      I try to be like that but it’s hard sometimes

    • @rowenq2489
      @rowenq2489 Рік тому

      Relatable 😊

  • @dawn8293
    @dawn8293 5 років тому +141

    "I thought I had failed. In fact, though, I just hadn't succeeded yet."
    My new motivational quote

    • @notsosmall2830
      @notsosmall2830 5 років тому +4

      That is a poster-level motivational quote. Can someone get that onto the DFTBA store please?

    • @lizkasper
      @lizkasper 5 років тому +2

      It reminds me of the quote attributed to Thomas Edison about how he didn't fail, he figured out a bunch of ways not to make a lightbulb. :-)

    • @lizkasper
      @lizkasper 5 років тому +1

      YES!

    • @MattPalka
      @MattPalka 5 років тому

      Truly, it takes your entire life to ultimately fail. Persistence is key. =)

  • @grey-vb7ox
    @grey-vb7ox 5 років тому +208

    It’s odd being in high school because you’re kind of “friends” with everyone, but only because they’re with you all the time. So many people call themselves friends but very few stick it out for the long run. Personally I do not believe I have many friends, even though people always say stuff like “oh my god but people are always around you and you know everyone.” But that doesn’t define friendship, it’s simply proximity. You have to get along with those around you otherwise you’d probably go crazy.

  • @toourbanbenefits2493
    @toourbanbenefits2493 5 років тому +46

    I really feel for what John is saying about making an effort and trying to be social, going to events by yourself despite how nervous it makes you hoping that you will connect with someone, but failing. It’s the worst feeling in the world because it’s like you’re alone in a crowded room and also because there’s no excuses anymore; you can’t blame your lack of friends on your lack of trying because you did try. It makes you feel like there’s something wrong with you. I struggled with that in college and it lead to extremely destructive thoughts and behaviors. But eventually I found my niche like John did. So just hang in there, keep putting yourself out there, remember there’s nothing wrong with you and that people do care about you more than you think.

  • @vitormelomedeiros
    @vitormelomedeiros 5 років тому +707

    Why do you gotta make me cry every week, John???

    • @Alexis-jw7ot
      @Alexis-jw7ot 5 років тому +21

      I'm glad I wasn't the only one

    • @marieskee22
      @marieskee22 5 років тому +4

      So sweet. Teary eyed over here, too!

    • @YourWorcesterGirl
      @YourWorcesterGirl 5 років тому +6

      I'm not crying, just something in both my eyes at the same time
      😭😭😭😭

    • @susumnasen4783
      @susumnasen4783 5 років тому +1

      +

    • @edenbru11
      @edenbru11 5 років тому +1

      Same this video was so beautiful

  • @GuilhermeHarrison
    @GuilhermeHarrison 5 років тому +25

    This is a classic example of the difference between the brothers and how they complement each other: one talks about how friendship is labor and what friendship is in a scientific, synthetic level, where the other on how it was for him in his life and his feelings about it, frustrations and inevitable triumphs.

  • @LauraLumos
    @LauraLumos 5 років тому +185

    One way I have found to make friends as an adult is to look for people who could use a friend. It can be hard, especially if you are in a place of great enough need that it makes it difficult to look out for the wellbeing of others, but if trying to make friends with socialites hasn't worked for you then start looking on the outskirts. Who else is a wallflower at the social gathering? Who always shows up to things but leaves early after very little interaction? If you find another person who wants a friend then suddenly you're in position where you're rarely going to be rejected when you try to talk to or hang out with them. You may find that the person you meet isn't someone you want to spend a lot of time with, but more often than not, a good friendship just comes from two people who decided to like each other, regardless of what they have in common. Just a thought. :)

    • @kieyrahaywood8014
      @kieyrahaywood8014 5 років тому +8

      I'll have to try this. Sounds like it makes sense.

    • @LauraLumos
      @LauraLumos 5 років тому +2

      Kieyra Haywood It works for me. ❤️

    • @kieyrahaywood8014
      @kieyrahaywood8014 5 років тому

      I really like your channel, I love when people make stuff like what John and Hank do.

    • @LauraLumos
      @LauraLumos 5 років тому

      Kieyra Haywood Thanks! They are my biggest inspiration! I’ve been watching for more than 10 years.

    • @simonstanton5299
      @simonstanton5299 Рік тому

      +

  • @miacoss9809
    @miacoss9809 5 років тому +235

    This is the quality nerdy advice I subscribed for!

    • @AlthenaLuna
      @AlthenaLuna 5 років тому +3

      It IS, and it's no doubt going to be tempered by more dubious advice via the pod.

  • @HeroDark98
    @HeroDark98 5 років тому +315

    I too often think about my deep connection with the bacteria in my body, I even have conversations with one. I named him E. Cole, what a bright fella.

    • @paigesilva23
      @paigesilva23 5 років тому +2

      Marc Shanahan I think you spelled E. Coli wrong

    • @sealofapoorval7437
      @sealofapoorval7437 5 років тому +1

      Wow such an original name

    • @-Araina-
      @-Araina- 5 років тому +11

      like J. Cole's less famous cousin

    • @6023barath
      @6023barath 5 років тому +2

      It's all fun and games until E.Cole's cousin, V.Chole shows up. I hear he dries the conversation to boredom....

    • @SwilyStaff
      @SwilyStaff 5 років тому +1

      I cry every time I hear about E. Coli. Talking about the lac operon scarred me

  • @msrjjon
    @msrjjon 5 років тому +39

    That was such a nice way to honor his friends.

  • @QuintonReviews
    @QuintonReviews 5 років тому +735

    I want to move out west to achieve something, and my biggest fear is not being able to meet people or make friends. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to look back and sigh, an old man with longtime friends and kids and stuff.
    Thanks for this discussion guys, it’s really enlightening.

    • @kiranspees6048
      @kiranspees6048 5 років тому +10

      You can make it! Come out west; it's nice here.

    • @BestgirlJordanfish
      @BestgirlJordanfish 5 років тому +9

      The west is the best! I've been moving around the west coast most of my life and every city I land in is rad and magical

    • @waelwm4331
      @waelwm4331 5 років тому +1

      Yeah , now go make more fun of old UA-cam celebrities to validate your intellectual superiority

    • @Northbound040
      @Northbound040 5 років тому +5

      I’m in Arizona, summers here are brutal but the rest of the year is great. Same with most out in the Southwest. It’s going to be tough to take that first step, but when you do, it will be that momentum that keeps you going. Hope you move out west someday.

    • @juzoli
      @juzoli 5 років тому +3

      Quinton Reviews You can always move back if it doesn’t work out. Any way you will be richer at least with lots of new experiences.

  • @amygdala9679
    @amygdala9679 5 років тому +440

    First week of university every old friend from school assured me how great I am and how much they love me and that I would for sure find new close friends. This September I will start my third year and I still haven't made more than 3 vague acquaintances.
    It's really difficult to form strong connections and I miss my old friends who were like my family.

    • @levihogan8314
      @levihogan8314 5 років тому +92

      Jam Brownies I went through my first three years of university thinking I had great friends (they were all just toxic relationships) then in my final year I made two friends who I'm still in contact with a year after graduating. Good friends are worth the wait, and like John said, you just haven't succeeded yet

    • @anw903
      @anw903 5 років тому +28

      Jam Brownies I am also currently without deep friendships because I went abroad for a year during high school and it didn't click again when I got back. I think we just have to be patient and not lose hope.

    • @boredstephanie
      @boredstephanie 5 років тому +19

      Keep trying! You never know when you'll find someone you click with :) I really pushed myself to be more social and even pledged for a fraternity (despite my social anxiety) because I felt like I hadn't met enough people in university. I had some great experiences and I met my boyfriend of almost 6 years during that year.

    • @M.M.Y.B
      @M.M.Y.B 5 років тому +32

      eat with people. this gives you an excuse not to talk while you sit with them and get used to each others' presence.
      keep their numbers. because at least you have it.
      send them memes. because what else is their. shared humor is a good way to make friends and leads to more unusual situations that cement it.

    • @juliasutter6996
      @juliasutter6996 5 років тому +21

      Mol Berry this is actually the best advice ever from personal experience. Food + strangers = much less awkward convos. And inside jokes are often what makes a friendship go beyond an acquaintance. Send all the memes!

  • @lawrencecalablaster568
    @lawrencecalablaster568 5 років тому +119

    The biggest thing I've found in making friends is to listen to them. I had such a hard time starting relationships in high school because I thought I could instantly make friends by saying or doing one interesting thing.

    • @autumn7809
      @autumn7809 5 років тому +27

      I'm the opposite. I have to remind myself that it's ok to talk, and that not everything I say has to be planned out.

    • @fugithegreat
      @fugithegreat 5 років тому +2

      Excellent advice for any relationship!

    • @nomms
      @nomms 5 років тому +5

      I wish I knew more folks like this. I enjoy silence sometimes. Not every lull in conversation needs to be filled with words.

    • @stephanie8009
      @stephanie8009 5 років тому +4

      I Agree.I love reading an sharing stuff but it also makes me seem like obnoxious. So listening and acknowledging others helps. Also, kindness is underrated. A basic 'the office has free coffee the cups are over there' or 'I can show you where that is' works. Its not deep but its a good way to start.

  • @bornontotrouble
    @bornontotrouble 5 років тому +135

    Thank you for reminding me not to give up on trying to make new friends. People seem to float in and out of my life, which is normal, but I really need to get back into putting myself out there and trying to find ways to make friendships last beyond fracturing points (i.e. job changes, graduation, etc).

  • @ScienceAsylum
    @ScienceAsylum 5 років тому +66

    Hi John, I had a chance to speak with you a few times at VidCon US this year and you did a great job at being "friendly." While it may have helped that you had familiar people around and/or that VidCon puts you in a position of power, I'm sure it still takes an unbelievable amount of effort. I just wanted you to know that any anxiety you may have been harboring didn't show on the outside. 😊

  • @oneofthemany7322
    @oneofthemany7322 5 років тому +10

    "In fact, though, I just hadn't succeeded yet."
    I need to remember that sometimes going to a party, or answering a question in class, or having the guts to talk to someone new, leads to success. It seems that I remember the failures much more than those successes, and I'm holding myself back.

  • @AuntyProton
    @AuntyProton Рік тому +41

    Thank you, sir. I am a late diagnosed autistic person and my particular problems seem to cluster in social areas. You remind me that it's not never, it's not yet.

  • @viktorayy
    @viktorayy 5 років тому +358

    Teach me how to avoid awkward handshakes and make friends.

    • @General12th
      @General12th 5 років тому +40

      Finger guns!

    • @CupOfJoeMedia
      @CupOfJoeMedia 5 років тому +14

      you can avoid awkward handshakes by turning it into a best grip contest. If the person on the receiving​ end doesn't get it then they're the one making it awkward.

    • @sourgreendolly7685
      @sourgreendolly7685 5 років тому +14

      I make friends by finding people who have more awkward handshakes than myself. My people are the awkward people lol

    • @stella187
      @stella187 5 років тому +1

      The same applies for hugs, most people will recognize a good hugger

    • @manuvillada5697
      @manuvillada5697 5 років тому +12

      You just have to tank the awkwardness. It's all in your head, if everyone can do it so can you. Fake the confidence until it arrives, I promise you it will :)

  • @ScottKorin
    @ScottKorin 5 років тому +74

    John & Chris: A Star Wars Story

  • @anthonynorman7545
    @anthonynorman7545 5 років тому +131

    John I love and appreciate your videos, but do all of them have to be deep, relatable and cause me to re-examine my existence!?
    Seriously though, thank you for being you and sharing with us.

  • @sandycandy5597
    @sandycandy5597 5 років тому +11

    Even John’s videos that are so minute and small, that he will forget in 5 years that he even made, mean so fucking much to me and bring tears to my eyes every damn time. I love being a nerdfighter!😭❤️

  • @bananas_milkshake
    @bananas_milkshake 5 років тому +24

    I had to show this to my mom. She's currently feeling those exact feelings you spoke of and is deeply discouraged about making new friends. "My God..." she said as she listened because she felt like she was alone (we live in Jamaica, where you go big or go home)
    Thanks John.

  • @miche8868
    @miche8868 5 років тому +10

    about to start my second year of college after not succeeding yet...thanks for pushing me to keep trying

  • @phantomstrider
    @phantomstrider 5 років тому +17

    I've struggled similarly over the years in going to social events and developing a deep enough connection with people to make friends. It's nice to be reminded how common this is among introverts and that at least I'm not alone.

  • @bobbyjoe5796
    @bobbyjoe5796 5 років тому +2

    "In fact though, I just hadn't succeeded yet" that about bring a tear

  • @mineola_
    @mineola_ 5 років тому +35

    I know this is not the main focus of the video, but Chris was in the peace corps? That is awesome!

    • @vlogbrothers
      @vlogbrothers  5 років тому +33

      He was! In fact, he and Marina only met BECAUSE of the peace corps. But that's another story! -John

    • @milicakrunic4898
      @milicakrunic4898 5 років тому

      Okay, now that is amazing! I'm dying to hear that story

    • @mineola_
      @mineola_ 5 років тому

      same! It sounds like a great one.

    • @fugithegreat
      @fugithegreat 5 років тому +1

      Now I want to know Chris´s PC story!!

    • @aimeeaikins2990
      @aimeeaikins2990 5 років тому

      He is my friend’s boss and I got to meet him once. I introduced myself and told him I was a fan of 100 Days. I felt like a total geek but he was so nice.

  • @EdwardVanWinkle
    @EdwardVanWinkle 5 років тому +28

    We just moved up to Indy a year ago and I think I'm in a similar boat to the one you were in then - writer with a garden, not getting out much, trying to find a way to be social, living in a neighborhood of older people, just don't know anyone nearby. I just hope my life turns out even half as well as yours.

    • @weregretohio7728
      @weregretohio7728 5 років тому +1

      Half as well, I'd settle for that. Not that I have any hopes for that left.

    • @aimeeaikins2990
      @aimeeaikins2990 5 років тому +3

      I live in Indy too. Moved here in 2010 and now live on a street with mostly old people. We are the only family with a small child. This is the exact story I needed. Also, I met Chris once. I introduced myself and he was SO nice.

    • @EdwardVanWinkle
      @EdwardVanWinkle 5 років тому

      I'm on the east side and there's a library nearby that I bike to often, but I have a hard time just going up and talking to random people there... which is weird because that's kinda what I was known for back in college. lol
      Cities seem so much less friendly than a campus sometimes.
      That's cool you've met Chris - degrees of separation always fascinate me.

    • @aimeeaikins2990
      @aimeeaikins2990 5 років тому +1

      I live on the west side. We go to the library near us a lot but my son LOVES elevators and the downtown library is so nice. We go there a lot too. They have a lot of free programs. I actually bought a ticket to Hank's book tour stop in Indy. Hoping to meet some local nerdfighters there.

    • @EdwardVanWinkle
      @EdwardVanWinkle 5 років тому

      Aimee Aikins I've thought about getting a ticket, but we're keeping a tight budget this month. That would be a good place to meet people though. Hmm. Something I'll have to consider. lol

  • @laurak8240
    @laurak8240 5 років тому +23

    Great video! I am now 59 and still struggle to make friends and meet romantic partners. I take care of my elderly parents and their house in addition to my own home...It's a lovely job, but it's difficult to find time even for my few existing friends. Thanks for the kindred spirit feeling I find in your videos, especially today's.

    • @tomrogue13
      @tomrogue13 Рік тому +1

      How's it going for you, 4 years later?

    • @laurak8240
      @laurak8240 Рік тому +3

      @@tomrogue13 Thank you for your concern. My father has passed away but I am still caring for my mother. Things are generally better. I have reached out to some old friends from school and have taken some time to visit them. My nephew has moved in with my mom. His wonderful sense of humor brightens a lot of days, and although he's busy, he helps me with many little tasks around her house. I am dating someone I met online. So far it's not serious, and perhaps will never be, but I do feel less isolated. The funny thing is that I feel more and more comfortable on my own, and treasure my solitude, whether backpacking or just taking an hour or so off to read in the afternoons. This past winter I made skiing a priority, and that has fired some passion for life in me that had been missing for quite a while. I hope you are doing well in your life. I glanced at your channel and enjoyed some of your music!

    • @tomrogue13
      @tomrogue13 Рік тому +1

      @@laurak8240 I'm sorry for the loss of your father. I'm glad your nephew can help. Even if it's just with the little things. Those are often the things that are most appreciated but go unnoticed too often.
      I've always wanted to try skiing. It looks fun. Have you skied before or was this your first time?
      And thank you for the kind words about my music! I didn't expect you to check it out 😅

  • @mothrone
    @mothrone 5 років тому +4

    As a Hoosier, knowing that somebody of your esteem is in Indianapolis fills me with hope for the future of the city. It's a wonderful thing to hear that our town has won you over, and I'm grateful to Chris for that.
    John, I'll see you and Hank in September

  • @mayvanw5549
    @mayvanw5549 5 років тому +5

    As someone currently living in Indy, may I say the assumption that everyone have known each other since elementary school is 100% true, but it makes me really happy you were able to still put yourself out there and find your Jenna (She is my Chris)

  • @Heeby-Jeebies
    @Heeby-Jeebies 5 років тому +7

    As an adult who is almost "old" and without kids 'n stuff, I feel like I needed this.
    Thank you John.

    • @therunwaydiva89
      @therunwaydiva89 5 років тому

      I'm in that same boat too today I felt really alone surrounded by people if that makes any sense and he always knows what to say. He gives me hope about finding friends

  • @angiewagner9232
    @angiewagner9232 5 років тому +6

    I love when the videos are more like responses to the last video, it feels more like a conversation and I think it’s awesome

  • @hum8la
    @hum8la 5 років тому +25

    I love these kind of videos. So real, so relatable. Friendships can appear in the most unexpected situations and those can also be the most beautiful and important ones. I met my dearest friend in a bookstore. We wanted the same book but there was only one left. So he suggested that I could buy it and that he could get my number so he could borrow it from me when I was done with it. This was four years ago and to this day we’re friends and I am for ever thankful for that book.

    • @notsosmall2830
      @notsosmall2830 5 років тому

      He sounds great! What was the book?

    • @hum8la
      @hum8la 5 років тому +2

      He’s lovely. The book is called ”If I stay” and is written by Gayle Forman. As you can imagine it’s very special to me, but besides it being special to me, it’s also a wonderful book!

  • @c-cubecreates4404
    @c-cubecreates4404 5 років тому +1

    " I just hadn't succeeded /yet/" is exactly what I needed to hear tonight. Thank you so much, John

  • @Razbeariez
    @Razbeariez 5 років тому +16

    This video just makes me want to shout "friendship!" While wiping a tear from my eye. That's a lie, I don't just want to, that's what I did.

  • @kyratrebon
    @kyratrebon 5 років тому +14

    If Chris would be up for it, I'd love to know his point of view on making adult friends, particularly as a more outgoing person. As someone who ends up taking on that role to help my more socially anxious friends, it'd be great to hear his experiences.

  • @alanaharris6972
    @alanaharris6972 5 років тому +1

    "In fact, though, I just hadn't succeeded yet." Thanks for that reminder, John. I needed it.

  • @elliottm7
    @elliottm7 5 років тому +1

    "I thought I had failed. In fact, though, I just hadn't succeeded yet." Beautiful 💛

  • @singinwithceline
    @singinwithceline 5 років тому +6

    FINALLY the Chris/John Origin Story!!! DFTBA! I have no idea if this will be helpful nuit I’m gonna leave it here anyway because maybe somebody needs it. Once upon a time, I was a lonely chronically ill and disabled 23 year old who’d just gotten my own accessible apartment. Pretty much everyone in my building was in their 60’s or older and seemed very sad. I spent the first 6 months or so by myself because I thought I cannot possibly relate to any of these people. After a while, I got tired of that, and started getting to know people in the lobby. I made some pretty interesting friends in those years. Don’t put walls where you can put fences.

  • @lawrencecalablaster568
    @lawrencecalablaster568 5 років тому +50

    I can't wait (though I must) to be the old person with kids and stuff.

  • @mickeyd4071
    @mickeyd4071 5 років тому

    “towns are made out of people, in the end. and i’ve come to love a lot of people in this one.” oh man i’m not crying

  • @itsmekatiep
    @itsmekatiep 5 років тому +1

    My husband and my pregnant self and our 2 kids moved to a new home last year. And the neighborhood we arrived in feels like a weird slice of paradise. The kids play outside together every single day, the adults all include each other on boat outings and parties and barbecues. When we came here it was easy to initially feel like an outsider and decline invitations but I am so grateful that they kept inviting us, they kept including us. We've only lived here a year, and already it feels like home.

  • @michelesaqui
    @michelesaqui 5 років тому +12

    That's the sweetest video! In the end, friendship happens when you least expect, although it is really difficult to make friends in adulthood.

  • @amy8144
    @amy8144 5 років тому +7

    I love this story! I miss seeing Chris and John together on 100 Days!!

  • @romaniaforever
    @romaniaforever 5 років тому

    John-
    We’re your former neighbors and even though we barely had time to talk at one of those neighborhood gatherings, we miss you the opportunity we had to get to know you. You’re right about Chris and Marina being so friendly and charismatic . As an aside, your wife’s homemade cobbler was heavenly.
    I remember returning to Indianapolis, my home city, and being single and lonely. I have anxiety issues but, even so, it got easier as I attended regular writer events a poetry readings. It was hard to push myself to do that.
    So I relate to your post. We hope your new neighborhood has what we were lucky to find: good neighbors with a nice blend of quirky and helpful personalities, , regular opportunities for get togethers, a mix of ages, no restrictive HOAs, etc.
    By the way, we “old people” would have loved getting to know you better. Sometimes it’s nice to know what we each face at our stage of life. We wonder about how life is so different for people your age and would love to share our take as people who remember when there weren’t computers, cell phones, etc.
    Economic pressures are different for younger people. We’d like to know about that and for boomers, millennials and others to get past stereotypes we might have about various age groups. I wish you’d share your take in a future post.
    Anyway, that’s my take.

  • @TehTussin
    @TehTussin 5 років тому

    "I thought I had failed when, in fact, I just had not succeeded yet." Damn, John. That's really moving.

  • @MattRoszak
    @MattRoszak 5 років тому +76

    I'm a weird person in that I still hang out with all of my best friends from highschool, 10 years on. Not just one or two, but around 9 or 10 of them.

    • @bubblegumplastic
      @bubblegumplastic 5 років тому +2

      Matt Roszak same here! i live in a big city so it's hard making friends, gotta hold on to the good ones :)

    • @raney150
      @raney150 5 років тому +17

      I didn't even have 9 or 10 friends in High School lol

    • @corrda1993
      @corrda1993 5 років тому +1

      Sounds like most people in Ottawa Canada

    • @cheina2907
      @cheina2907 5 років тому

      Matt Roszak haha i still hang out with my friends from elementary!

    • @melissajennings996
      @melissajennings996 5 років тому +4

      My husband is the same, he has a solid group of 5-6 friends and as they all get spouses and start having kids it’s just getting bigger and bigger. Meanwhile I have one friend from high school that I’m close to 🤷🏼‍♀️ Sometimes it just works out that way.

  • @louloureads3953
    @louloureads3953 5 років тому +5

    This is a lovely video that is also true to my experiences of making friends as an adult. I just kept trying until it happened somehow, and I am so grateful to the Chrisses in my life who kept inviting me to things so that now I have many friendships that are extremely precious to me.

    • @louloureads3953
      @louloureads3953 5 років тому +3

      Also, I know it was said in jest, but there are amazing friendships to be had with “old” people. I am 28 and one of my most beloved friends is 65, and you would not believe how much fun we have together.

    • @anw903
      @anw903 5 років тому

      Hannah +

  • @AmberHolven3
    @AmberHolven3 5 років тому

    Dear Hank and John (I couldn't resist!!) I think you guys may have just hit on one of the most important topics that no one is talking about with these last 2 videos! 11 years ago I was in the same boat as John. I had just moved to Minnesota for my husbands fancy new job in the twin cities. I moved from a town I loved (Ames, Ia) to a smallish town 45 minutes south of the twin cities. I was a stay at home mom for the 1st time and pregnant with my 3rd child, my oldest was 4. I lived in a very tiny 2nd floor apartment, and I didn't go out much as it is difficult to take a 2 year old who refuses to walk any where in the middle of winter, especially when you are pregnant with what I was sure was a hippo!! I knew no one, and I met basically no one. My husband was making friends at work and he traveled a lot at the time. I was miserable! I was, in fact, miserable for nearly 2 years! Then in 2008 by meer chance I went to the Mall Of America, all 3 kids in tow. Stood in line with 500 people I had never met before (With 3 small kids I will remind you), and managed to land my self a wrist band to get in to actually meet my childhood loves, the New Kids On The Block in the time of their reunion tour!! My husbands office is across from the mall, so I took him the kids and headed back to a mall full of strangers to do something I had dreamed of as a child all by my self. We had to wait in line for something like 4 hours for them to get there on their flight that had been delayed due to weather. There were 499 other woman there, but I knew 0. I kind of chatted with the ladies next to me, but I can tell you, that Minnesota Nice thing they talk about.... all a bunch of lies!!! Any who, i was 1/2 listening to all of the other people there chatting when I heard a girl I could not see, say she was from my town!!! I realized she was right in from of the gal in front of me. I mustered up all of the "Talk to strangers" nerve I had a started a conversation with her only to find out that her 2 kids were the same age as my older 2 kids. We ended up having tons in common! She was my 1st friend in my town and I had to travel 45 minutes to meet her. We didn't go on to become best friends as you and Chris did (I have a best friend who has been so for 32 years), but I met so many more people from that one chance meeting! Our now 14 year old sons are friends so we still touch base now and then, but with out her, i would not know a good chunk of people! It is hard to put your self out there and meet new people, but if we don't do it we are cutting our selves off at the knee!! Thank you so much for talking about this, and please forgive me for writing an essay with too many words and bad grammar. Since I started this way, I shall end this was too. Thanks so much,
    Signed
    Amber Waves with Grain
    P.s. I thoroughly amuse myself!!

  • @MrYASpizza
    @MrYASpizza 5 років тому +1

    I find this topic to be very important since I've always noticed how many people are quick to decide the place they live in is bad when really it's not the place, but the people, that they're dissatisfied with.

  • @HelloWorld-xf2ks
    @HelloWorld-xf2ks 5 років тому +5

    We are all your friends John!

  • @lorenabpv
    @lorenabpv 5 років тому +7

    After 100 days, i wanna be friends with Chris too

  • @greergordon215
    @greergordon215 5 років тому

    I desperately needed this on Sunday. Glad to know that mortifying, uncomfortableness that I so closely associate with meeting new people in social settings is universal.
    Best piece of advice I ever received about making friends in a new place: you don't need to find enough friends to make a group, you just need one really good friend, and then you join theirs.

  • @NoThisIsNotMyTime
    @NoThisIsNotMyTime 5 років тому

    One of the most important things i learned while i was an exchange student from Norway in small-town VA was that i was able to make friends. Years of drifting away from my 1st to 7th great friends had made me doubt that i could, i felt different and boring. Reaching out is really important, i met a girl who had moved in a year before me, and whose friends had all gone off to college. She reached out to me, and i returned the favor by taking initiative to hang out. I later made more friends. This was essential to my mental health as i lived in a place that had very different world views from me. I found my people, they made it feel like home.

  • @rfldss89
    @rfldss89 5 років тому +28

    Chris from 100 days fame?

    • @gephc4
      @gephc4 5 років тому +12

      f***ing majestic

  • @maxhines4705
    @maxhines4705 5 років тому +6

    “About how much I’m talking”... about 65% of the time on Dear Hank and John. (Or is it Dear John and Hank??)

  • @sarahgaines8027
    @sarahgaines8027 5 років тому

    This came at the perfect time. I just moved across the country alone, with no friends, no family, just a job and a bit of hope that this place will one day feel like home. Thank you for the encouragement not to give up!

  • @laterkater4213
    @laterkater4213 5 років тому +1

    I didn’t really have close friends in school and lost track of university friends after we graduated. But I took up activities I enjoyed (acting and improvisation) in my mid 20s and met people and met other people and now I’ve known my best friends for 8 years now. A few years ago they showed up to help me move house on New Year’s Day after my boyfriend dumped me the night before and now I’m cuddling their babies and supporting them through serious medical issues. And because I went through all those years without close friends I know exactly how precious their friendship is. ❤️

  • @sanyukta2623
    @sanyukta2623 5 років тому +59

    Will you be my friend, John?

  • @MartyRayProject
    @MartyRayProject 5 років тому +10

    Great story! It seems like friends just show up in my life without me looking. Haha!

    • @alexh4935
      @alexh4935 3 роки тому +4

      I found the extrovert.

  • @lillalillalillalilla
    @lillalillalillalilla 5 років тому

    ‘id tried going to things id tried to make friends and i thought i had failed in fact tho i just hadnt succeeded yet’ this one sentence means so much to me and it is all i needed to hear to feel better, thank you John as always

    • @windface7346
      @windface7346 4 роки тому

      Can u accept me as ur friend...
      I'm from india.

  • @fibonacci227
    @fibonacci227 4 роки тому +1

    John, this made me cry. It popped up on my feed precisely when I needed to see it. Thank you.

  • @Nerd101
    @Nerd101 5 років тому +5

    Friends are an interesting concept!

  • @waynekeyser979
    @waynekeyser979 5 років тому +3

    Showing this to my 2 adult sons.

  • @isabelsong21
    @isabelsong21 5 років тому +2

    This is so sweet and now I want to go and rewatch all of 100 Days. I'm so happy that you found your people in Indianapolis, John.

  • @hufflebuffben
    @hufflebuffben Рік тому

    I love this because I had a similar experience when I moved out of my hometown to Oakland. I had a few other friends from that town who had also moved to the general bay area, and I reached out to them when I got here with very few responses (people are busy), but one suddenly invited me to play DnD for the first time.
    From there, I met other people, helped one move into their house, went to their housewarming and met even more people, and now we have a Discord channel and game nights and events and we just started a new DnD campaign all together. It was probably 3 years in the making, but I happily have a whole group of friends now. 🥰

  • @rikwisselink-bijker
    @rikwisselink-bijker 5 років тому +11

    29th comment? Wow. Now, on to the video for a real comment...
    "How did you do it?" "With great difficulty." (-Newt Scamander)
    Making friends as an adult isn't easy, so you should be careful with the friends you have.

  • @Ava-xg3sl
    @Ava-xg3sl 5 років тому +21

    Have you progressively gotten farther away from your book case in the back ground through the past few videos?

    • @vlogbrothers
      @vlogbrothers  5 років тому +23

      I think I just switched lenses. But I am going to switch back because I liked the old way better! -John

  • @PaulEppleston
    @PaulEppleston 5 років тому

    "I thought I had failed, but I just hadn't succeeded yet." Yep, that's one for the inspirational quote pile. Thanks, John!

  • @emilycaballero6052
    @emilycaballero6052 4 роки тому +1

    This just randomly popped up in my recommended, and I’m glad it did. I’m an introvert who just went to college, and I’m feeling a bit isolated lately. I guess I’ll just keep going to things and not freaking out :)

  • @livingbeings
    @livingbeings 5 років тому +4

    Thanks John. Maybe there is hope.

  • @MaryKateKing26
    @MaryKateKing26 5 років тому +4

    Awhh John you gave me the warm fuzzies

  • @ojtheaviator1795
    @ojtheaviator1795 5 років тому

    I love how you said how you realized you "hadn't failed, just not succeeded yet". That's something I've been thinking about a lot, how often I mix up failure and learning. Thanks.

  • @realspacemodels
    @realspacemodels 5 років тому

    It's listening to stories told like this that make you realize why John is such a successful author.

  • @NoahStolee
    @NoahStolee 5 років тому +4

    I give having friends five stars.

  • @contrapasso
    @contrapasso 5 років тому +4

    I’m crying cuz it’s sweet but also cuz I’m really lonely

    • @candycoatedcactus
      @candycoatedcactus 5 років тому +1

      thenormalstate it will turn out alright! If you're looking for people to talk to, there's usually active people on the Nerdfighteria Discord channel!

    • @windface7346
      @windface7346 4 роки тому

      Can u accept me as ur friend....

  • @SpectraStarShooter
    @SpectraStarShooter 5 років тому

    “...where sweat just sprouts from your forehead like so many seeds from well tilled soil.” And this is why you are such a great writer. Beautiful!

  • @Tinderchaff
    @Tinderchaff 5 років тому

    "You haven't failed, you just haven't succeeded yet" Nice. What a way to flip the problem around and make it into something positive.

  • @nessaxsmiley
    @nessaxsmiley 5 років тому +5

    my kind of tutorial

  • @margaret__todd
    @margaret__todd 5 років тому +8

    I make a lot of friends online because I rarely leave the house (working on it) and a while back I started to treat them as "real" friends and it's awesome - my latest friendship was formed on tumblr by messaging someone whose comment I liked and their response was "OMG YOU'RE NOT A PORN BOT LETS BE FRIENDS" 😂
    Btw, if anyone wants to be friends say hi! I'm Margaret, disabled with big dreams, workaholic (how my friendships end oops), sarcastic and optimistic (I know, makes no sense together) and I like cats (dogs are cool too).

    • @AlthenaLuna
      @AlthenaLuna 5 років тому +1

      I laughed at not-a-porn-bot...because it's true. Of course, now I'm stuck thinking "not-a-porn-bot" is a good username. >_>

    • @HS-hk8mr
      @HS-hk8mr 5 років тому +1

      Hello! I'd be friends!

    • @margaret__todd
      @margaret__todd 5 років тому

      That' be a great username! 😄

    • @SWINDISA
      @SWINDISA 5 років тому

      I'm disabled too. Luv your username. I know my comment is belated, but feel free to message me. It's hard for me to meet like-minded disabled people irl :)

    • @vishalkron1259
      @vishalkron1259 4 роки тому

      Hi!Let's be friends😊

  • @NikBY
    @NikBY 5 років тому

    Thank you so much for sharing that story with us, John.

  • @StephanieBoothEDV
    @StephanieBoothEDV 5 років тому +1

    A good reminder to us people who aren't overcome by social anxiety of how much impact we can have by engaging the ones who are! My friend group has a running joke about how I, an extrovert, have basically just collected introverts around me and forced them to be my friends. But honestly, finding those people who are quiet and talking to them is the #1 way to make friends, even as an adult.

  • @JonathanFord9398
    @JonathanFord9398 5 років тому +11

    Speaking of making friends, there's plenty of great Nerdfighter friends to be made over in Tuataria! (tuataria.com)

  • @jennifershin803
    @jennifershin803 Рік тому +4

    Towns are made of people and not paper???!

  • @TheSweBoo
    @TheSweBoo 5 років тому

    This has to be one of my favorite videos of yours so far. So perfectly wrapped up at the end :')

  • @taylornoel09
    @taylornoel09 5 років тому +1

    A very sweet and inspiring story! Thanks for sharing John!

  • @shutupsprinkles
    @shutupsprinkles 5 років тому +24

    Wow, I’ve never been this early to a Vlogbrothers video!

    • @haylee5461
      @haylee5461 5 років тому

      Shut Up, Sprinkles! I’m early for me too!

  • @scoopsmcgoops
    @scoopsmcgoops 5 років тому +16

    Good morning, Nerdfighters!

    • @ayushimody8382
      @ayushimody8382 5 років тому +1

      Good morning!

    • @portentouslad5051
      @portentouslad5051 5 років тому +5

      good night. :) it's almost 10PM here in Germany. Wait? where is it still morning?
      That's a clever user name dude!

    • @scoopsmcgoops
      @scoopsmcgoops 5 років тому +1

      Portentous Lad - Haha yeah, it’s not really morning, being 4pm (I’m in Indianapolis, like John!). I was just mimicking the video. 😉

    • @milicakrunic4898
      @milicakrunic4898 5 років тому

      Yeah, it's night in Europe :| I like the morning so much better.
      'Will there really be a Morning?
      Is there such a thing as Day?'

    • @nataliemccarthy9140
      @nataliemccarthy9140 5 років тому +2

      I hope everyone has a wonderful day/night :)

  • @alilitooki
    @alilitooki 5 років тому

    This made me cry in such a good way. Thank you John!

  • @nori9686
    @nori9686 5 років тому

    I always appreciate your videos... But from time to time, they completely change my day. Thank you.

  • @reagangeorgi2618
    @reagangeorgi2618 5 років тому +3

    Does anyone else ever wonder if John will eventually pull all of his hair out?

  • @Nicoratboy
    @Nicoratboy 5 років тому +4

    I want to make friends from the comfort of my own bed

    • @Ellyerre
      @Ellyerre 5 років тому +2

      Have you heard of Tumblr?

    • @Nicoratboy
      @Nicoratboy 5 років тому +1

      Ricardo Lopes I have

  • @YoGemmy
    @YoGemmy 5 років тому

    You never cease to amaze me. Thank you as always for another moving vlog.

  • @redheaditalian
    @redheaditalian 5 років тому

    I had been struggling with this since graduating and I'm finally making it to the point that John talks about in this video. So much of John's experiences in this hit home for me.