What do you do to avoid getting lonely?

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overthehill

New Member
I read,walk,and have 2 wonderful doggies-Haley and Nutters and I have the internet.Thank goodness for the internet.My daughters live far away and my neighbor's are never home.
I find myself every now and then lonely.When this happens,nothing seems to help,I mean I try the usual things-listed above and cards,and I call a few people,but sometimes it really hits home,that Im lonely.
So any thoughts on what would help or what do you do?
 

I have a few suggestions for you that I find can keep people from feeling lonely. 1: Take up a new hobby. Maybe something you've always thought about doing and just never had the time before? Generally these types of things can keep your mind from focusing on loneliness. 2: Find a local group to join. If you have a variety of interests, chances are that there exists groups that focus on those interests, (such as book club, chess, cards, etc.). 3: Write about how you feel. Oftentimes simply getting your feelings down on paper can help you overcome them.
 
When I moved into my apartment, I had to get rid of my pets, it was hard, but needed to be done, I was lonely for a bit as my family lives close, but not close enough to walk over every night. I found some people in my apartment and neighborhood and I try to walk with them whenever I want to, and whenever they want to. I'm almost always available to walk with others, and it gets me out of the house, it's needed otherwise, I would get quite lonely. Go for a walk and meet some people :)
 

Depending on the area where you live, especially with spring weather starting, some are planting community gardens, where the people volunteer their help and advice, and the crops are used by those in need. That would be one nice way to meet positive folks and help others in the process.
 
If there is a senior center in your neighborhood, give it a try. If you drive, you might want to volunteer somewhere on a regular basis. That will give you something to look forward to. If you are a member of a church, there are often senior activities to join. Photography is a great hobby if you are flying solo. Finally, since you say you enjoy being on the Internet, consider starting a blog! Wordpress makes it very easy.
 
The best suggestion I know of would be get out if you can and attend events that are planned for older people. The have anything from dances to crafts to social meet and greets. Depending on what area you live in, you can always check with your local senior center or look it up online. Always be careful who you talk to and avoid anyone that mentions your income. Perhaps you could offer daycare for children. Mostly you can search on the internet for things to do. There is many sites with people that have the exact same issue.
 
I love to go out for walks. I just love to spend time outside walking around new places and listening to music on my mp3 player. Like other people have said, pets are an important part of not being lonely too. I'd echo what deemac80 has said, the Internet is a great resource for keeping busy.
 

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facebook is great for getting in touch with old and new friends, you'r be surprised how many like minded people there are out there.
 
When we are lonely, we have to make that extra effort to put ourselves out into the world... which isn't necessarily a bad thing! Loneliness reminds us that we are wasting our potential, that we can better ourselves, each other and the world around us. For every lost and lonely person, there is another lost and lonely person waiting to meet!!
 
Definitely you should try something new like a group activity. Anything where you meet other people will help. Maybe a cooking class or a walking group who is at your level of exercise? Important to talk to other people, I think.
 
Read a book, watch a movie, get in touch with friends online. There are countless ways. Somtimes, I go for a jog or go to the bookstore
 
Here in Aus where we live they have community houses where you can go for company and to learn things,eg learn to use a computer, cooking lessons, language lessons, sewing lessons, these lessons are really cheap eg computer lessons $2.50 an hour, and likewise for the other lessons.Also there is a meeting house for the over 50s that has lots of things to do and go on excursions.Maybe there are community houses or clubs in your area that you could go to.
 
I have a social group of friends from church, I belong to a club for tennis, and I stay active with a few hobbies that consume the majority of my spare time...

And if you still get lonely, either move into a retirement community or get a pet :D
 
You can also sign up for an exercise class, like Tai Chi, which is beneficial for seniors who are trying to remain flexible. It's also very good for the mind and spirit. Chances are you'll be surrounded with positive personalities, and may even make a new friend. Once you start the classes, I'm sure you'll look forward to them, I did. Maybe there's specifically a senior group that does Tai Chi, it's actually pretty popular.
 
What my wife and I do is we are members of our local theater group. They put on a few plays a year and we are active there. We get parts in every play we can and if there isn't a part for us, we work behind the scenes. That way, we are always either busy learning lines or helping out others with their lines, or working getting the stage ready for the play. We also got involved in choosing the next play and helping out in the casting...

There is a local Legion in our village but all they seem to do is either drink or play cards which we don't do either.

We do have a large section of land that keeps us busy during the nice weather. Our winters are cold, snowy and rather long where we live, so we meet every now and again at friends houses for coffee. We take turns with the houses we meet at.

Somehow the word "bored" NEVER seems to come into our lives but there again we have each other.
 
I joined a seniors club to avoid that. We go hiking and play a lot of card games. I quite enjoy interacting with others. :)
 
That's a good way of putting it, wasi. These days I do find myself using the internet quite a bit when I'm not participating at the seniors club.
 
I used to just get married whenever I was lonely. :rolleyes:

God knows it's an expensive way to find company, but the last marriage, almost 23 years ago, I really cashed in! I haven't been lonely since. :love_heart::love_heart:
 
Awwww....that's sweet
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overthehill said:
I read,walk,and have 2 wonderful doggies-Haley and Nutters and I have the internet.Thank goodness for the internet.My daughters live far away and my neighbor's are never home.
I find myself every now and then lonely.When this happens,nothing seems to help,I mean I try the usual things-listed above and cards,and I call a few people,but sometimes it really hits home,that Im lonely.
So any thoughts on what would help or what do you do?
Click to expand...

That's a tough one to answer as I never feel alone or lonely. Never have, but then again I did have an imaginary friend up til about 4 1/2 years old LOL
Your public library should have daytime classes. Sometimes they have groups such as book club or crocet/knitting circles you can join.
Join your town's senior club, they generally meet twice a month.
Check for a beginner yoga or tai chi or take art class nearby.

 
Funny, I grew up pretty much being alone in the crowd. Children were not only not be heard but not seen, either. So, guess I'm used to lonely. I think that makes me connect with the world around me better. I feel very close to nature; the clouds, the wind, animals, flowers, bugs . . . ("The trees are drawing me near. Got to find out why . . .") When my dad was stationed way out in the Pacific, I would wander the island by myself and explore the beach and reef. Sometimes, one of the island dogs would find me and hang out. That was cool. Got in the habit of surfing alone which I know is dangerous but at the time there was no choice . . . now, it's a special treat to have nobody out but me and the sea lions and otters . . . (and the men in the gray suits that you know are there but never see . . . just as long as The Landlord doesn't charge up from below and collect the rent...)

These "daze" I enjoy the contact with strangers in public . . . in line at the store, greeting upon passing on the street, filling the car at the gas station. It's comforting how many people are openly friendly. I feel there's a wonderful connection that holds our humanity. Now, it's important to not be aggressive . . . just casually friendly. It's sad when people are too afraid to even nod "hello".

And, of course, the Lord is always with me. I may be rather avant garde for the conservative oh-so-holier-than-thou but I do believe. Proof of being pulled through some scary, dangerous and tough situations has an angel on my shoulder.

OH! And I jump on here to say hello to all of you!
 
I guess I'll have to be the odd-man-out here and state that loneliness has NEVER been a problem of mine - quite the opposite, in fact.

I don't really know the reasons why; maybe it's because I'm a Pisces, or that I'm an introspective type. Maybe it's because my self-applied label of "monk" is so apropos, or because I taught one too many meditation classes.

Maybe it's because I'm a writer who lives in his own mind, or because my only means of socializing is on the 'Net.

Whatever the reasons, I don't ever feel lonely. I have enough multiple personalities to keep me busy for TWO lifetimes.
 
Everyone is wired differently and I think anyone can choose to break out of a rut if they want to. sometimes we get used to the associations we have already and we forget that it is real easy to meet new people. Just try a new hobby and find a group that is based around it. Check you local library, senior center, community for notices on club gatherings. Check with meetup.com as well.

People who are getting together around an activity will always looking for new people to show off their skills to and to help learn the hobby too.
 
As a young woman, I think I thought I needed another person to make my life complete. Better late than never I have learned I am complete and pretty damn awesome ! I ave been divorced since 97', and without a partner since 2009. I am fortunate to be close to family and I have no time to be lonely. Occasionally, I see a couple and feel a twinge , then I slap the person closest to me and realize LIFE IS GREAT!
 

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