Cleveland Needs Love, Friendship and Strong Relationships

For many of us, the most negative voice we hear on a daily basis is the one in our mind. It can short-circuit our day, relationships and lives.

So how do we deal with that? Just about any research out there shows that having a circle of friends and relationships is the way out. We can’t navigate life on our own. Buddies can talk us into believing in ourselves. They can bring a sense of calm. They can be there when we need to go for a walk or to talk.

One friend could turn into the love of our life, the person we want to share experiences with.

So how do we find opportunities for friendship in Cleveland? We offer help. Each of the following stories can help you build a strong foundation for a better way forward — one where you don’t have to go it alone.

Cleveland Social Platform Helps People Get Out and Meet People

In an era dominated by swipes, likes and virtual chats, Natalie Bell, a 31-year-old nurse and dating and relationship coach from Cleveland, is on a mission to bring romance back to reality. Through her innovative platform, The City Social, Bell is helping singles rediscover the magic of face-to-face connections in an all-too-often distant and isolating scene.

“I’ve always been passionate about helping others and, honestly, I just love love,” Bell says. “I noticed a recurring theme, not only in dating but also with my coaching clients: People were struggling to make meaningful connections in a modern world that felt increasingly disconnected. That’s how The City Social was born.”

Bell’s conviction in the value of organic, face-to-face interactions was reaffirmed when she met her partner at a rooftop pool last summer. 

“Our story is a reminder that real-life connections are not only possible but can be incredibly meaningful,” she says. “A simple hello turned into my biggest joy.” 

Find out how Cleveland Social App helps Northeast Ohioans get out and meet people. >>

Staying Social in Cleveland While Being Sober

Alcohol is such a big part of Cleveland’s social scene that it can be challenging to figure out how to be, well, social without it. “It can feel awkward to try to make friends or just communicate in general,” says Shaunna Jacobs, who is nearly six years sober and works at Stella Maris drug and alcohol treatment center. “It’s about saying yes and being open-minded to new experiences.”

For spirited meetups without the spirits, try this link for four Northeast Ohio options. >>

Cleveland TikTok Account Offers Help in Dealing With Social Anxiety

Your heart beats out of your chest as you stare at your phone before making a call. Days before going to an event, you have racing thoughts about every detail. What should you wear? When should you arrive? How should you act? What should you eat? 

You’re overcome by a sense of unease at the mere thought of networking events, public speaking or first dates.

This feeling is social anxiety. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 7% of U.S. adults are diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. But beyond the official diagnosis, the condition exists on a continuum and is experienced to some degree by virtually everyone. 

The only folks who truly feel no heightened nerves for any social interaction, says Dr. Eileen Anderson of Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, are people with narcissistic, antisocial or other personality disorders. That means that most of us struggle somewhat with putting ourselves out there in new social situations, which can negatively impact our ability to meet new people, make friends and find romantic partners. 

Northeast Ohioans with social anxiety have flocked to the “Lay of the Land” social media account, which has amassed about 60,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram. Run by a self-proclaimed “socially anxious millennial,” Lay of the Land posts videos for people with anxiety visiting new places in Greater Cleveland, so they know what to expect before they arrive.

Meet the Cleveland TikToker who offers localized guides and tips to help you deal with social anxiety. >>

After graduating from high school in Youngstown in 2005, Josh Bartell found himself moving all over the country, first as a Marine, and then afterward in a variety of jobs, from baking (he appeared on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars”) to construction.

And it made him feel disconnected. “I started to build a shell around myself,” he says. “Friends had fallen by the wayside for me, and it has been lonely for me.”

Now established in Tremont — “This is the first place where I’ve been in a long time that I feel like it’s home,” he says — Bartell started Dudes of Cleveland, a group that has regular meetups throughout the area with the goal of bringing men together to forge authentic friendships.

“I started it for a selfish reason but also because I thought I can’t be the only one who feels this way,” he says.

Find out why male loneliness remains a problem in Cleveland. >>

Dine Beyond Your Comfort Zone in Cleveland

As I lied on my couch alone, scrolling through Instagram yet again, an ad popped up that caught my attention. It read “Don’t worry … It’s never too late. There’s always Timeleft.” As a single girl in her 20s, I’m always looking for an easier way to meet people, especially when the options can feel so limited.

At this point, I had nothing to lose. I clicked the link, downloaded the app and started to build my profile. 

Timeleft is a social platform that is designed to offer safe, welcoming environments to meet new people in your area. I have seen other similar in-person social gatherings promoted online, but I always found it hard to determine the safety levels. 

Loneliness has been a significant issue for people aged 20-30 in recent years, especially due to various factors like social media usage and the pandemic, as well as regular life transitions that take place after high school and college. A 2021 study conducted by Harvard University found that 61% of young adults aged 18-25 report experiencing “serious loneliness.”

Follow one writer's journey through a TimeLeft social dinner. >>

Starting in Cleveland, Letters to Elders Pack Impact

People and children cope differently after life-changing events. There is no right way. Some stick to themselves. Others seek connections and look to help others. That is what Jacob Cramer did when he was 10 years old after his grandfather passed away.

He volunteered at his local senior community in Beachwood. First, he became a friend to many of the residents during bingo games. His biggest impact, Love for Our Elders, would start there.

“It was so much fun. I loved having a microphone,” Cramer says. “I loved the joy that they all omitted, and I wanted to get to know them more.”

Cramer continued to develop those friendships. He found out that one of his friends had not heard from their niece in months, which gave him an idea — one that would lead to thousands of people getting love and attention worldwide.

Meet the young man who created a network of pen pals to help lonely elders. >>

Cleveland's Top Friendship And Dating Events

She’s Company
Launched in 2022 by Rebecca Maxwell, She’s Company is a women’s community initially designed to create a “safe space” for trying fitness classes and making connections. What began as small gatherings in Maxwell’s apartment has grown into popular themed events like color parties and vision board workshops, offering unique perks like free cocktails or crafting supplies. Instead of a membership model, attendees simply purchase tickets for events they want to join. The success of She’s Company has even inspired a men’s group, Dudes of Cleveland, which Maxwell supports.

Check out eight more events designed to help you find love and friendship. >>

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