Finding and Making New Friends

[JaniceSW]

 I have a very small family.  Parents both gone, one sibling who is much older and developing dementia, and two children who are adult and living their own lives.  My children are both 1-2 hours drive from me.  They both work full-time and are either married or have a relationship.

Why the background?  Because I am now retired and those relationships that were through my job have mostly dissolved.  Several close friends have moved away over the past 5 or 6 years.  Now I find that I have few and far between friends.  Luckily, I do well alone.  But I also know that we all need connection and relationships.

So the question is:  Can you provide some suggestions of the various things I might do and places I might go to meet people my age?  What makes you attracted to someone as a friend?  I would like to meet a person or two who also does well alone but not so introverted as to not want to incorporate a friend into their life.   

[gaby_ro_2004]

At least you have your family with you.I am from Europe and the only person i have here is my husband.

[BATISTAGIRL663]

i too have family but all my good friends have moved off one in florida--one in texas and one in gerogia --i really miss them all and wish i was rich so i could go visit them all!

[Tresbn00]

I have had no time for friends for pretty close to ten years.  I have worked at least two jobs since 1978 when I was young enough to get away with sleeping two to three hours a night. I keep in touch with old friends on a weekly basis but really have to make an effort to do this since I am always working (pretty sad, huh?).  I am pretty personable and do not have a hard time striking up a conversation with complete strangers so friendships occur whenever I break away from the daily bump and grind of making money for my family. I don't have a problem with total solitude and still enjoy breaking away every month or so to read or take in a movie.  My suggestion would be to take on a part time weekend job in a high volume retail area where you will meet lots of people.

[Penwoir]

My suggestion would be to start an evening class in a subject you have never studied but have always wanted to. Hopefully you will meet people who have the same interest as yours and so you already have something to talk about. If I was in your situation I would sign up for cookery classes or home design, wood working or something like that.

[countrygirl12]

I have a very small family.  Parents both gone, one sibling who is much older and developing dementia, and two children who are adult and living their own lives.  My children are both 1-2 hours drive from me.  They both work full-time and are either married or have a relationship.

Why the background?  Because I am now retired and those relationships that were through my job have mostly dissolved.  Several close friends have moved away over the past 5 or 6 years.  Now I find that I have few and far between friends.  Luckily, I do well alone.  But I also know that we all need connection and relationships.

So the question is:  Can you provide some suggestions of the various things I might do and places I might go to meet people my age?  What makes you attracted to someone as a friend?  I would like to meet a person or two who also does well alone but not so introverted as to not want to incorporate a friend into their life.   

Do you go to church?  Are there any activities in your area such as a senior center?  You could volunteer at a nursing home.  You would be surprised how you can make friends with family that are there visiting residents.

It's hard to make new friends.  At least for me.  And so many people are so fake it is unreal.

[bremer51]

I'm not really the right person to answer this question because I have one friend and I met her in the 8th grade. (50 years ago) Since then I haven't done too well. I would go to church.  People are usually quite nice at church, plus they have a lot of volunteer activities where you can meet people.

[svetka05]

I think you just need to be relaxed and open minded about meeting new people and making friends. From the looks of it you sound like a very good person and outgoing. That is great. I see no problem you making new friends. Also going out with your friends to places where you can meet new people. Like musam or zoo...ect