jstar

One thing that has really been helping me is going to the meeting after the meeting. This means when people suggest coffee or dinner or whatever after the AA meeting...go! Seize the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, meet some new people & laugh! Yes laugh! I've recently moved to a smaller town and started going to new meetings where I didn't know anyone & for the last few weeks I've been going out on Friday after the meeting for coffee/dinner. It's really helped me to get to know people & I'm really enjoying the company of sober friends.

Just thought I'd share a piece of what is working for me right now

hypochondriac

Glad you're doing well Jstar x

YouRmySunshine

Nice! I'm finally getting to where I will hang out after the meetings a little longer, even to just top off my coffee, Say hi to a few new people.

Everyone there tries hard to make the new people feel so comfortable, But its us Newbies that need to accept it.
We were going over Tradition/Step 5 today...One old timer in the meeting this morning said "Im sober today, because I wanted to be here for the new people that come, as I am reminded of those that welcomed me"
I can't wait to say that!

I hope to make life long sober friends.

Coldfusion

In our local groups, once a month there is a business meeting after the meeting. This is the time and place to discuss things about the meetings that people might not like--for example, too much religion.

This is how "special interest" groups start: for example, agnostics, LGBT, artists, women, etc.

Fallow

For me, the meeting after the meeting is where the real recovery began

It's good stuff.

But I had to hang around long enough to find out about it!