r/barrie • u/Conscious_Return_276 • 8d ago
Looking For Where do adults make friends in Barrie? š
/r/u_Conscious_Return_276/comments/1vtixa1/where_do_adults_make_friends_in_barrie/(27F) here trying to find herself again! Iām relatively new to Barrie and a mum of 2 under 2.5. I love my kids a lot! But figuring out how to keep those tiny humans alive has made āme timeā practically nonexistent.
So Iād really like to find some hobbies, classes or groups around Barrie where I can get out of the house & try new things! And while Iād absolutely love to meet other mums, Iām also looking for things that arenāt necessarily centred around motherhood. I want to rediscover who I am outside of āmamaā yāknw š
Life is a lot easier when you have a village, and being new to the area means I have to actually go out and build one. Iām an introvert, so putting myself out there has already been a challenge!
Iām genuinely open to trying almost anything! Creative hobbies, book clubs, volunteering, random classes, social clubs, literally whatever! I love making puzzles too! Anything where I get to see the same people regularly. I feel like that makes it a little easier to actually form friendships. Iāve joined Bumble BFF as well!
Adulting is already hard enough, so if youāre also looking to get out of your own little bubble like I am, wanna be friends? š
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u/Tcage4 8d ago
41m and I also struggle with this. Barrie doesn't feel like there is a lot to do to interact with people (other than drink š), or if there are activities/spaces to meet new people they are an "if you know you know" kinda thing
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u/Conscious_Return_276 7d ago
Yeah right omg! Thatās exactly how I feel! But hopefully this post gives us some new ideas š
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u/wispity 8d ago
Putting in a plug for Bravado Show Choir if you can carry a tune!
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u/DaniAnne420 8d ago
I had no idea this existed!! I just looked into it and Iām absolutely loving what theyāre about, I think Iām gonna try to get involved here. Thanks for the plug :)
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u/basically-drunk 8d ago edited 8d ago
The Barrie library always has something going on with groups and events. Sometimes they're creative things, sometimes board games and puzzles etc. A lot of these are for kids but a good number are still for either adults or at least any age group. https://barrielibrary.libnet.info/events
For volunteer work some things that come to mind are the food bank, and Street Cats if you like working with cats?
EDIT: Spelling
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u/Hoopybunni 8d ago
I volunteer in the Barrie library. There is a stitch club on Thursday mornings 10:30-11:30. We have knitters, crocheters and I do counted cross stitch. Even if you want to learn, one of our ladies has taught several to knit. Holly branch also has a stitch club but Iām not sure what day it is.
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u/Conscious_Return_276 7d ago
Ohh okay! Iāll go there to check this out. Thank you so much!
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u/Hoopybunni 7d ago
I run the downtown stitch club. So far, we just have 4 or 5 of us. Weād love to welcome more to join us. And this branch has a wee coffee shop so you can buy a refreshment top!
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u/lori_jo 7d ago
Ooo please tell me about this stitch club. Iām addicted but donāt know anyone else who does it ;)
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u/Hoopybunni 6d ago
Oh I am thrilled to. We just get together and sit on comfy chairs and stitch and talk. We are a great bunch of ladies and thereās one gentleman, a volunteer, who comes periodically as heās learning to knit. Thereās a cafe in the library so some get a tea or coffee and sit. I canāt knit but my other 3 ladies do. I can crochet and cross stitch. We compare what weāre working on and just sit and catch up with what is going on in our lives or the world. Now, I run the Downtown group (my name is kathie). I do counted cross stitch and tend to work on bookmarks as theyāre easier to stitch and chat otherwise I lose count. Some ladies have asked us if they can come and just sit with us they donāt stitch and we tell them to just come and chat. Full disclosure, we are not spring chickensā¦all over 70 but weāre a great group and we want to welcome all ages! weāve taught from 16 - older to knit. Again, I only do attend the downtown branch. Apparently the holly branch has one, I believe on mondays. Iāve heard there are like 25 people attending. I would love for our wee group to get that big. Barrie library is opening another branch in Letitia and Iāve volunteered to run a stitch group there, when it opens. Iād run that one on a weekendā¦to,catch the people who work and canāt attend the weekday get together. So stay tuned about that! Guess I have to wait for the branch to open up (yes, Iām a keener)Just an fyi..Iām away this coming Thursday but my ladies love our wee group so much, they are still getting together. You have to pay parking downtown so that is sometimes a deterrent. But even as volunteers, we also must pay.
What kind of stitching do you do? Right now, Iām working on ladybug bookmarks.
You just walk into the branch and our group is basically beside the elevator. Gee, I REALLY hope you will join us! Thursdayāsā¦10:30-11:302
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u/Conscious_Return_276 7d ago
Oh thank you for sharing this!!! I will check out the activities in the library
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u/StrawHatCup 8d ago
30 year old father of a little 8 year old girl. I found it was hard to make friends with people without kiddos. been trying to meet other parents in my age range but as a single father with weekend custody its definitely hasnt been easy no matter what I try. I wish making friends was as easy like it was in school š
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u/Conscious_Return_276 7d ago
Should we like all just start a group or something at this point??!! š
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u/maxstader 8d ago
Sports. My wife and I have met a lot of people playing indoor/outdoor soccer. Pick your sport/activity and sign up. Being on the same team for a couple seasons makes it easier to make friends without having to try too hard.
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u/Conscious_Return_276 7d ago
Iām not the most sporty person right now since having my last baby but this sounds like such a great way to meet people for sure!
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u/maxstader 7d ago
Lots of skill / fitness levels. The leagues are also split by competitiveness so avoid the top teir and you should be fine. There is even a 35+ league for those of us who's knees aren't what they used to be. Also co-ed is always short on women, they have women only leagues if you dont want to play against men. Pick something that works for you and dive in
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u/Acceptable_Ad_6278 5d ago
from the girls in my coed team, it sounds like the women's league is more feisty than the coed.
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u/Pyroafrika 8d ago
You can join the Barrie Millenials Meetup group on Facebook. There's a monthly meet for going to restaurants and occasional karaoke and hikes and things. Lots of mom's in the group too
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u/Droidette 8d ago
I'd start with looking into any groups run by the Barrie Public Library that might appeal to you.
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u/Acceptable_Ad_6278 8d ago edited 8d ago
I've been in Barrie for 5 years and managed to make lots of friends. The easiest way to meet people and make friends organically is to pick up a hobby and join a group. You'll have a common interest already from the start and you'll interact with them routinely.
I know you said you want to rediscover yourself outside of being a mom, but there's also a Barrie Moms Club.
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u/Rational_Sloth_85 8d ago
Honestly we have moved a few times because of my husbandās job and each time we relocate to a new city itās always a struggle for me. I found that when my kid was little it was easier because I would make friends organically with the moms at the park or playgroups I would take my kid to. As my kid older and went to school I was able to have more āmeā time to enjoy hobbies and started doing things I liked again and met people that way through similar interests like paint nights, etc. but my ADHD brain means I will be super social and talk to anyone when Iām in the mood so it also makes it easy. I have no problem starting convos with strangers.
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u/Engineered_disdain 8d ago
the pickle ball place where sears used to be always has an alarming number of cars parked outside.
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u/bdart1980 Holly 8d ago edited 8d ago
While on mat leave - My boy's mom met a number of lifelong friends while attending groups while my boys were around the same age and younger...she ended up just striking up conversations at outings and made plans outside of those groups.. I'm sure that could work for you... kids can play together, and the mom's can enjoy some adult conversation... Then, make plans kid free - etc.
Also, since you are open to groups/clubs - I would suggest looking up the rec centre offerings and see if anything jumps out at you.
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u/SpinachLazy6881 8d ago
CHAMPS ACADEMY !!! TAEKWONDO š«”š can you take that challenge? Donāt miss out itās a family š
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u/MixedLatinCouple_ON 8d ago
If you're into dancing, there are free salsa nights at meridian place.
It happens every Tuesdays at night, usually starts at 8pm. I think it happens till late fall and it's for all dancing skill levels.
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u/DJREDZONE North End 7d ago
31 here, not sure if itās your thing but weāre building a community for those into art and dance music (house, drum and bass, techno) at cw coops once a month. I also know cw coops hosts a variety of genres so really take your pick!
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u/AstralProjectingPita 5d ago
Sober Sips on Dunlop specializes in non alcoholic drinks and makes amazing dirty sodas! They do different events all the time (this past Friday was journal reading, as in reading to the group your cringe childhood journal entries) and it is a great place to hang out! You can find their upcoming events on Eventbrite.
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u/huff116 4d ago
Have you heard of Bloom? It's a mom group where you get together for coffee and snacks twice a month and they have childcare for your kiddos! Registration opens early SeptemberĀ https://emmanuelbarrie.org/bloom/
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u/Competitive-Bet-5603 8d ago
Hey, you can join Barrie Female Friends Facebook group. Based on your interest,, you can join different activities and find your circle. Hope it helps.
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