If you’re anything like most of us, you probably read this headline with a little bit of skepticism. After all, why should you get new friends? You like the friends that you have, right?

Turns out, just because you like your friends, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be in the market for some new ones. Here a few reasons why you should get new friends right now:

New friends can be a positive influence.

The primary reason to get new friends right now is that simply put, you are the combined efforts of the people you spend the most time around. If your friends are people who you’ve known for a while, they may not be the type of person that best inspires your ideal self.

That is, if you were to meet them today, is it possible that you may not be friends with one or more of your current friends? If you think there’s a chance that you are only friends because you’ve known each other for a long time, it may be time to expand your social circle, as well as your possibilities for becoming a better version of yourself. Make sure the people you spend the most time with are worthy of your energy and efforts.

Your friends don’t want you to change.

Your friends may be well-meaning. They may enjoy you just the way you are – whether you are slightly overweight but aiming to get more fit, or drink a little too much but striving to consume less. They may not want you to change those traits because it is part of how they identify you. If you got new friends right now, however, they will see you from a new perspective – one that may allow you to see yourself in the same light. Just like friends you’ve known for a while can make you complacent, new friends can pull you out of that rut.

You should always keep learning.

New friends offer the opportunity to be exposed to experiences and points of view that you were previously missing. Your current friends maybe brilliant and valuable members of your circle, but there’s always room for a new friend; especially one who challenges you to think differently, or have a more open mind. As we get older, developing new friendships is a skill set that’s harder to achieve, so getting in the practice of making new friends now will help you stave off potential future loneliness.

Whether it’s to expand your horizons, become a better version of yourself, or maintain a crucial skill set that will serve you later in life, these are a few reasons why you should get new friends right now!