I am such a history and literature geek, but those friends that I’ve had since I was a toddler are no longer willing to discuss my interests anymore. Every conversation is about them, so my voice isn’t heard. Recently I have broken away from my friends, so I am officially a loner. I’ve been thinking of starting a few clubs that circulate around the things I love. To help others who might be in similar situations to gather. Our high school does not have a history nor a literature club so it would be a first.
Anything else that I could be missing, or any advice for making friends who have these interests is appreciated. Also this is my first post so I am not sure how these really work
Hugs. High school can be lonely and I’m sad you are feeling this way.
Does your public library have any teen programming? Mine does- a book club, several hobby clubs, a movie and discussion series, etc. Does your town have a historical society or any organizations which do reenactments, have lecture nights, sponsor photography competitions (“spot the oldest building in town and research who built it and why”, that kind of thing), Is there a group that does oral histories (local Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, women who recall the jobs they held during WW2 when the men were mobilized) to capture the testimonies before these folks die?
Starting clubs at your HS is a great idea- but there may be other organizations already operating and they usually love new volunteers!
Hugs to you. And congrats for taking the initiative!
Volunteer in your community!!
If you love history, can you visit senior centers – either just to talk to the older residents to learn their stories, or better yet, to help with (if not start!) a story/memoir project?
Animals can provide tremendous support – can you walk dogs at a local shelter? The dogs would be so grateful! Or foster kittens?
By getting out and doing things you like you’ll be selecting to meet people who share some of your interests.
An oral history project could be interesting and you’d meet some fascinating people. If you have any local history museums, you could volunteer as a docent.
Starting a special interest club could be a good way of connecting to classmates who share your interests.
But, honestly, high school can just really suck. Teens - as you obviously know - are going through all kinds of physical, intellectual, and social changes. Many are just discovering who they really are and what they’re interested in - and that process of discovery can be MESSY. And peer pressure and trying to be “cool” and fit in and trying to balance that with who you really are and what you actually like…It’s hard and it can suck and if you already know who you are and what you like, then you’re ahead of the game. But that can be a lonely place. As you also obviously know.
All I can say is that it gets better. It really does. I don’t know what year you are, but hang on and keep your head up. I think you’ll like college so much more. You’ll find your people.
Life is about compromises also. Discussing what interests your friends is AS important (or maybe more if you want them to be your friends) then expecting them to discuss history or literature in social situations. I hope you can find a happy compromise.
Have you ever done National History Day? Such a great competition. If you don’t have it at your school look into it and perhaps speak to a history teacher to see if they would want to be your advisor.
it must be very difficult. During your teen years childhood friends grow into invidual, different people and it can be really hard when you realize you no longer have much in common.
Talk to your school librarian and see if s/he’d be willing to advise a Banned Books club
I promise that you will find your people in college.
High school is a time when friend groups get upended as people find new interests and new peer groups. Lots of great suggestions in this thread already – I think starting a book club could be really good for you. You could make it themed (historical fiction, perhaps?), or let the theme rotate as members pick the books. Or perhaps the local library sponsors a book club you could join. Does your school have a creative writing club? You’ll meet more literary types there (because readers tend to be writers). You might also think about joining the school newspaper. As a student journalist, you’ll use a lot of historical skills and knowledge – and you could write reviews of books you read.
Where else could you encounter history and literature? Some of these ideas overlap with those people have already mentioned. If your area has a historical museum or living history center that accepts volunteers, definitely look into that. I like the idea of volunteering at a senior center, which might allow you to talk with residents about their personal histories - someone above mentioned an oral history project, which I think is fantastic. Senior centers might also sponsor a read-aloud activity (which would involve some pretty interesting books), or perhaps book clubs that you could help facilitate if you’re a volunteer.
I’m ditto-ing people’s comments about high school and adolescence being hard.
It sounds to me that you’re really looking to find ways of having a peer social group, preferably at school.
In terms of peers, I’m seconding @blossom’s rec to check out your local library’s teen programming. Additionally, your local area’s recreation department may also have teen/youth programming (ours has programming that is not related to sports, so don’t overlook it because you think it will all be about athletics).
At your school, see if there’s an organization that does tutoring, especially for younger kids who need help with reading or just peer tutoring of general subjects, as they may be more apt to have more similar interests to you as well.
Love @MYOS1634’s idea of a Banned Books club. It can help with the literary aspect, and teens are typically drawn toward things that some adults say they shouldn’t.
If there are historical reenactment opportunities in your town, perhaps see if a club can be formed of people who are interested in participating in those? It might catch people who are interested in history, but theater kids may also be interested in participating, which can widen the audience of the club a bit. Or if there’s a senior home, have a group of kids doing oral history projects, etc. By organizing people to do the things with you, then it can hopefully help to build a community of like-minded peers while you’re at school.
Is there a quiz bowl team in your school? History and literature are big topics for quiz bowl. How about speech and debate or mock UN in your school? Ask your history and English teacher, they should know.
My daughter found as she went through high school that people from her outside activities (not from her high school) made good friends. It wasn’t that she didn’t have friends at her high school— it’s that every school tends to have a social “scene” where people have a set view of others’ place in it. I agree with the people who have said that a library book club or volunteering would’ve great. If I had time, I’d volunteer at my local wildlife rehab (cleaning out cages).
I often told students…friendships are based on common interests. So…as noted above…find some common interest things to do. But even then…in a completely social situation, some folks might talk about things not related to that common interest.
Does your town have a historical society or perhaps a historic home? Many need volunteers to help with tours and events, and even if the other volunteers aren’t your age, they’ll share your enthusiasm.
At the same time, look for commonalities with your former friends. If they are kind, there’s no need to abandon them. (If they are not, find others who are.) You may need to look for ways to hook into what excites them -’ whether by thinking about it like a historian or sociologist (how will this obsession with x be viewed 100 years from now? ) and by just caring about them as people. This can be a rough time for friendships for so many reasons, but one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is learning how to find those points where you can connect with others rather than walking away from folks based on differences. So much easier said than done!
Really wishing you the best. It sounds hard.
Thank you for the friendship advice