Challenge #10
As we get older, our friendships evolve and change. Our children grow up, our parents grow older and eventually pass away. Some friends move away. We retire from our jobs and lose track of many work contacts. Although some friendships may be lost, our need for companionship is as strong as ever. So where do we turn to meet new people?
In retirement, where do you think you will make new friends? (Ideas: Church groups, volunteering, senior living complexes, though hobbies or activities?)
As part of my retirement theme, I offer this weekly Thursday “Future Challenge” to get people of all ages thinking in general about their futures and/or retirement. Each challenge goes with a post of my own on the same general topic. Hopefully we’ll start some interesting discussions!
If you’d like to share what you think, or post on it, that’s great – and I’d love it if you’d share those thoughts in a post or comment (please tag posts TRS Future Challenge and link to this post) so others can also see them.
If you choose not to share them, that’s fine too – but with any luck, you’ll still gain some insight on where you’re headed (or would like to be), and how you can get the most out of your own journey.
To see my own take on this week’s challenge, see my post Companionship on Valentine’s Day.
The Retiring Sort 
I find it harder as people are set in their ways as they get older… just observation.
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So true. No doubt about it, new things are harder for many older people. I’m hoping this will help some of us think ahead of ways to reach out, rather than waiting for others to reach out to us. Dear Abby always said the best way to meet new people is to get involved in something you enjoy, because you will have that thing in common with everyone there. Bowling, quilting, book club, church groups, even blogging (although it’s not “in person”), all come to mind for some of the people I know! 😉
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Both of my parents are retired. My father stays busy by volunteering and my mother joined the following groups: bible study, book club, cooking club, wine club. They have a very active social life and have met some very nice people from all different types of backgrounds.
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It sounds like they’ve built a great community of friends – that’s wonderful!
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When we experimented with ‘pretirement’ on Ometepe Island, we wanted a way to become a part of our local community. The Peace Corp volunteer was finished with his tour of duty and gave me his English students (since I was a teacher). We ended up with 3 classes of English students at our house 3 days a week. Since we didn’t charge for lessons, they brought fruit or other small items for us and we were invited to family weddings, graduations, and other celebrations. Now, 9 years later, we have become like extended family members to my ex-students and their families. We have an abundance of local friends through our original ESL classes. I feel so blessed.
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What a perfect example of how organic friendships are! Reaching out just a little can bring so much back! Thanks for sharing this! 😉
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such a thoughtful post
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Thanks – It’s my goal to get people thinking about retirement, wherever they are in their lives! 😉
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i have been thinking these same thoughts … my husband is enormously busy in the community since he retired (he always worked from home) but i have just given up some teaching i was doing, and at the moment i am loving the peaceful days … but where will i find friendship now? of course i have some old friends far away, some new ones also far away, and a lovely community around here but no special friends …. not sure of the answer … but i have a little granddaughter nearby and her very friendly parents so that is marvellous and time consuming 🙂
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So glad you can enjoy your granddaughter more now. I hope you and your husband will find some new friends in your community soon – and of course you can always find us here in the blogosphere! 😉
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When I retired in the fall of 2011 and moved to a new location, it was to take care of my mother-in-law. I’m still at it, plus we live in a rural area which is even more isolating. My husband will retire in a few months. I used to think I was more of a “loner”, but now realize how much I counted on work and church friendships, plus having easy access to kids and grandkids. I miss those relationships terribly! I have respite care in place so I can get a break from the caregiving and have decided to pursue some volunteer opportunities. I have a freshly completed application sitting by my computer for the local library. Looking forward to meeting new people and feeling more productive again.
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I wish you well and hope the library brings you lots of new contacts. I don’t think we realize how much we depend our our daily contacts until we don’t have them. You will never regret the time you’re spending caregiving – but it does take it’s toll! All my best, Brooke! XOXOXO
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