Mark Hopkins: Living a Life of Friendship

Having good friends: why it matters

“When I don’t make time for friends, I get sucked into a neurotic brain-
spiral. Friends remind me that it’s OK to relax, have fun. They ask the right questions and open me up to new perspectives. And, most importantly, they kick my ass when
it needs kicking.” 

—Mark Hopkins, creator, We Should Know Each Other parties

A little help from your friends

Friends support you when you’re at your worst and are really nice to have around. But nurturing friendships is often a low priority as we strive for success in the rest of our lives. As a result, as we get older, the number of friendships we have tends to dwindle, removing an important source of social support and advice from our lives. In February 2008, local artist Mark Hopkins began hosting “We Should Know Each Other” parties, designed to introduce strangers to each other. Since then, hundreds of people have met at Hopkins’ events, held about every two weeks in his living room. Hopkins weighs in on how to make sure you and your friends don’t drift apart.

Make time. Arranging weekly meet-ups with friends isn’t always possible, but remember to utilize simple tools to stay connected. “Send a text message or a Twitter message to remind your friends you have them on your mind,” says Hopkins. 

Mix it up. If you have a group of friends that does the same activity all the time, Hopkins suggests freshening things up by doing something different — host a funky theme party, or invite a few new faces to your next gathering. Sharing new experiences with friends builds bonds by exposing you to different sides of each other. 

Keep it genuine. “Be willing to show your vulnerable side to your friends,” says Hopkins. This shows them you’re invested in the relationship and reinforces the sense of trust in your friendship, ensuring your pals will be there for you whenever you’re in a bind. 

Making connections in Calgary

Trying new things with new people is a sure way to spark a friendship. Check out the diversity of experiences the city has to offer.

• Alberta Dancesport
  Public meetings don’t get much more intimate than two people on a dance floor, but it’s all in good fun at Alberta Dancesport, which offers a variety of dance classes for every skill level.
  albertadancesport.com
   
• Calgary Sport and Social Club
  Team bonding is one of the best friendship-forgers around. And, true to its name, the Calgary Sport and Social Club offers just that opportunity, with indoor and outdoor athletic activities ranging from indoor volleyball to beach dodgeball.
  calgarysportsclub.com
   
• Meetup.com
  Meetup.com allows you to organize, advertise and find groups of people doing activities that interest you. If you want to get the most out of life by taking on new challenges, why not join the “Calgary Do Something New” Meetup group? It’s a great opportunity to meet people who share your adventurous spirit.
  meetup.com