Hobbies, Book Clubs & Groups

How to Make Friends as an Adult in Marikina

Making friends after school is hard. A practical guide for Marikina: join small recurring things, show up three times, and where to find them.

Nobody tells you that after school ends, friends stop happening automatically. You have to arrange them. The good news is that the method is simple, even if it takes patience.

The rule of three

Friendship needs repetition. Pick one small, recurring thing and go three times before you judge it. The first visit is awkward. The second, someone remembers your name. By the third, you have a seat.

Small recurring things in and around Marikina

• Meetup groups. Marikina has community groups on Discord and social media that organise café meetups and sports. One of them replied to a journaling post on Threads saying they would love to add a journal or book club meetup.
• Run and bike groups along the river. Easy to join because nobody has to talk while moving.
• Hobby tables. Yarn circles, journaling hangouts, art sessions.
• Book clubs. See book clubs in Marikina.
• Café events. The Marikina coffee directory keeps a calendar of café events: open mics, markets, workshops.
• Classes. A weekly guitar or French session gives you the same faces every week.

Why activities work better than "catching up"

Sitting across from a stranger with nothing to do is a job interview. Sitting next to one while you both paint, write or tune a guitar is easy. Your hands are busy, silence is fine, and you have something to talk about.

Scripts for shy people

• "What are you working on?"
• "Have you been here before?"
• "I am new to this. Any tips?"
• When leaving: "Are you coming next time?"

Be the host

If the thing you want does not exist, start it. Four people is enough. Pick a café table or ask us for the studio. We are small, which makes us a good size for a first gathering. Tell us your idea.