What do you do to avoid getting lonely?

I have had my grandson and dau with me for over 4 years and prior to that my husband, I think I am kind of looking forward to some alone time. In my single days prior to my deceased hubby and kids, I always got outside doing some actvity to get over blues of being lonely. Volunteering is great also. They are needed at YMCA,hospitals, thrift stores etc and you get to meet other volunteers who you might share similar interests.
 

It looks like a lot of good suggestions to keep busy. I think sometimes life is just lonely. I am not close to my kids, and my husband is lost in TV land. I have my little dogs, Chipper is snuggled up on a pillow on my lap as I am typing this, and he is always right there beside me, whatever I am doing. I found an alternative news forum, and I really enjoy reading, and sometimes posting on there. I have an iPad, and I keep up with my friends and family with Facebook . Just checking FB and reading what is happening in everyone's lives, really cheers me up and I feel so much closer to them. Visiting with FaceTime is almost like being there ! Posting on forums like this one also adds variety and interest to my life, so I look forward to that, too.
i think it is mostly just a matter of each individual finding what means most, and then developing a way to have more of that in your life.
 
Happyflowerlady said:
I think sometimes life is just lonely.
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An existential thought if I ever heard one. I'm of the school of thought that we come into this life alone, experience it alone and leave it alone. Inside our true selves it is only me, myself and I . . .
Doesn't necessarily mean loneliness but, rather, aloneness.

AND your little dogs are great companions. I love the connection between humans and animals. We need to give them credit for their individual life experience, too. They value our friendship and return the love 1,000 fold.
 

I guess I just cope with it, mostly. I do have hobbies I enjoy, reading, sketching, photography; some woodworking, etc., but still do wish I had some friends I could have a heart-to-heart talk with, other than online.
Our immediate family is close, but they are busy with work, life, etc. Siblings are all in another state, but we do keep in touch by phone, FB, and email.

Something I've noticed...in spite of all the wonderful things technology has done for us, one drawback seems to be that we have isolated ourselves more than ever before. We can communicate in seconds with computers, but who really visits anymore?? I miss the daily visits for coffee, tea, or whatever, with friends and the fun times spent just being together with buddies.
 
Anne said:
Something I've noticed...in spite of all the wonderful things technology has done for us, one drawback seems to be that we have isolated ourselves more than ever before. We can communicate in seconds with computers, but who really visits anymore??
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My feelings, exactly.
 
Anne said:
I guess I just cope with it, mostly. I do have hobbies I enjoy, reading, sketching, photography; some woodworking, etc., but still do wish I had some friends I could have a heart-to-heart talk with, other than online.
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I understand that too. We live a pretty isolated lifestyle, and while most of the time I love it, there are times when I wish I had a female friend closer than just a telephone call that I could go out to lunch and shopping with occasionally. Once a year I fly to Texas to visit a couple of friends, one in particular. She's a world class shopper so shop til we drop, because there is no place to shop around here. I spend a few days there then we drive back here in her car, loaded with my shopping overindulgences and spend a week here kicking back and taking in some local color. I really look forward to this, but once it's over I'm good for another year.

When you get older I find it is very difficult to make new friends as everyone is pretty much tied up in their own lives. Add to the fact that people in these rural areas are nice enough, but unless your grandparents on down were born and died here, the locals are not very inclusive of strangers.
 
It is a special treat to have someone who shares a similar world view . . . someone simpatico . . . a comrade. I can name one or two male friends in my life that fit that 100%. They, unfortunately are gone. Guess it's a lesson to enjoy things while you can. I'm a friendly guy but, it's hard to meet people with whom one can really be themselves. The surf community is definitely subject to the horrors of localism. I've known guys at The Point for decades but am still only on the periphery of their clique as my mother's second cousin's sister isn't their brother's mother's monkey's uncle...

The heck with that. I would rather be in the out crowd anyway . . .
 
When I get lonely, I watch TV. TV is my friend. Sad isn't it?
Really, I do get lonely and I don't know what to do with myself, so I guess I work as much as I can. And pray God will bring me a partner. There is a post on here about Christian Mingles. I don't think I want to join that website though.
 
I have a dog. He is a Labrador retriever, and he is surprisingly very calm and kind. Also, my son downloaded Skype on my computer. I use Skype to video call my son and other members of my family is I get lonely. I enjoy gardening as well, which helps pass the time when no one is visiting.
 
lilpoppy1 said:
When I get lonely, I watch TV. TV is my friend. Sad isn't it?
Really, I do get lonely and I don't know what to do with myself, so I guess I work as much as I can. And pray God will bring me a partner. There is a post on here about Christian Mingles. I don't think I want to join that website though.
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Not sad at all...realistically the television accompanies many folks when they are alone, and I think that's a good thing. Just posting on a forum like this may bring you a special friend/partner in your area, if you make it known what state you live in, and your availability. In my opinion, it would be less chancey than a dating site.
 
cmillken said:
I have a dog.
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Man's best friend!

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Pets make for wonderful companions. I used to say that if it wasn't for the dogs and cats, I probably wouldn't hear my own voice for days. I get lost in books sometimes too. If you find yourself lonely, nothing like a good book to escape into another world.
 
I am so hurting for the great escape in reading right now. Sometimes, finding another good book can be an exercise in futility. Eventually, one will pop into my hands and I'll dive into it. Yes, a great escape, TICA!
 
That Guy said:
I am so hurting for the great escape in reading right now. Sometimes, finding another good book can be an exercise in futility. Eventually, one will pop into my hands and I'll dive into it. Yes, a great escape, TICA!
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Have you read 'The Sentinel'??? Pretty good one; the movie was a bomb, tho....if you hadn't read the book, you'd have no clue what's going on.
 
That Guy said:
I am so hurting for the great escape in reading right now. Sometimes, finding another good book can be an exercise in futility. Eventually, one will pop into my hands and I'll dive into it. Yes, a great escape, TICA!
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I just finished this one - GREAT book! It was so elevating, by the end of it my eyes were red ...

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Well, Guy, then anything you do at this point is worth a try! Now I'm not trying to be sarcastic but do you normally walk around with a smile or a scowl and do you get out where there are other people?

Just trying to help :)
 
R. Zimm said:
Well, Guy, then anything you do at this point is worth a try! Now I'm not trying to be sarcastic but do you normally walk around with a smile or a scowl and do you get out where there are other people?

Just trying to help :)
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Oh, I'm a very happy and friendly person and do get out and about. I'm not whining about being lonely but have just accepted it as a matter of fact.
 
I don't try to avoid being lonely; I actively seek to be alone.

There's a big difference ... :playful:
 

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