Finding and Making New Friends in Retirement.
Often our friends are people we work with or those we connected with through a group or event when we were working. After we retire it can become a challenge to keep the same connections. We may not be able to relate to whatever they are focused on at work.
Sometimes we can feel the loss of our identity after we retire. I know I felt it. Also I moved back to a state I had lived in before, thinking I would reconnect with some old friends. We did get together but it just wasn’t the same. We had gone in different directions.
So how do we find and get to know new friends in retirement?
Being perfectly honest, this will take time and effort. I put this in the category of Do It Today because if you commit yourself to doing something everyday to get to know new ladies retiring or retired, your efforts may become a blessing before you know it.
First, Ask Yourself these questions.
- What are you passionate about? What have you always wanted to do when you retired?
Do you enjoy painting, crafts, the arts, outside activities, starting your own small business? Do you want to find a travel buddy? Are you a movie buff? - Are you looking to connect with other women your age in your area? Out of area? Or online?
- How will you get to know each other? By phone, though Zoom calls or meet at a Starbucks?
- Are you willing to travel? Maybe for a Meetup with several women retirement age.
- What are you looking for in a new friend?
We are drawn to people through conversation. Especially when we discover that we have the same things in common. It’s been more difficult these past couple of years to meet new people at live events and meetings. This has spurred us to create new ways to connect online. But online sources can help us to find places to go to meet new people.
The more we stay home, the less opportunities we have
to make a new friend.
Finding Friends At Events
Your passion will help to guide you in the right direction for meeting new people.
- Senior Centers
- Community Activities
- Join Groups
- Attend Travel Events
- Check out Eventbrite.com near you
- Church Groups
- Hiking Groups
- Local library Reading Groups
- Meetup.com
- Facebook Groups
- Shopping
Other ways to connect with other single, senior women retired or getting ready to retire.
- Senior Planet – from AARP
