How to get a life?

I messaged him about the sort of things he does and tomorrow night he is going to a “let’s predict the premiership football results” for the up coming session. Definitely not something I would find interesting but it’s something to do.

My brother uses MeetUp quite a lot to do lots of different things. You can see if there is anything in your local area on there.

Allotment? You won't have time for anything else if you get one 😁

Would you consider outdoor swimming?
I wasn’t sure about it but have now joined a group and love it. So friendly and easy to make friends: https://thebluetits.co/
its free and great for your mental health😁
you can find your local group easily x

It's called Meet-ups. It's brilliant

https://www.rebelbadgestore.com/about?gclid=Cj0KCQjw84anBhCtARIsAISI-xdbzSH88mv2PeVa2_mszJRKq338uWOX31krcWy3hJFiPacVgvFOayUaAsLIEALw_wcB

The Rebel Badge Book would be great for anyone feeling lost about their sense of self and wanting to explore. It's like Brownie badges for grown ups and most can be done on a very limited budget.

I mix my hobbies with social groups. I knit and natter at the library. Joined a sewing group at my WI. I found another craft group in town and several years on do some occasional teaching. I find a common interest promotes nice friendships.

Ahh perfect that's the way I'd want to do it too. I'm so glad it worked out

@FerryPink No, there were two vacancies and I applied.

We have a dog walking club in our area and everyday people post and ask what time people are going out walking. It’s a chance to meet up with people but at your own convenience and at the time you choose maybe have a look on fb and see if you have one

It can be hard yes. Any local walking groups nearby? A lady in my community posted on our Facebook town page a few months ago asking if anyone wanted to join a ladies walking group if she set one up. It’s been amazing, I’ve met so many local ladies in the last 3 months. We go on 3 walks a week, 2 evenings and one Saturday morning. Often going for a drink afterwards. We now have a comedy night outing, sorting out a meal, all kind of plans for winter. If nothing local why not start one. It costs nothing, one lady just drinks fizzy water in the pub if we go, that costs nothing. We have a Facebook page and a whats app group, so very easy to set up.

Can you travel?

dog walking groups! (wish there was an edit button)

Do you have meet up? There's several social, walking/hiking and dogging groups on there who post events and are great for meeting new people - everything from mountain hikes, cinema nights, wine tasting or social danders

I second getting off your phone (my big challenge right now)

If you dog walk see if there’s a local ramblers / walking group - they are often really really social

If you are a transition town there will be lots around that.

Apart from Parish councils if there are parks or any kind of loose heritage site which will have friends of committees, and also schools governors.

Things like Salsa classes where you have to partner up, people I know have also made friends at choirs, book groups, WI (now jazzed up), meditation / Buddhist centres, local conservation volunteering (local park or whatever), park run, having an allotment (long list so apply now if you might be up for it), Am dram. Volunteering for things like CBA obviously works too but you probably don’t need more work. Things that don’t work are things where you don’t naturally chat much like gym and yoga.

I’d focus on things you are genuinely at least a bit interested in, as it takes time to make friends. You also want long running groups, so I don’t think time limited evenings courses are much use.

Good luck!

Join your local area’s Facebook page and you’ll likely find countless events pop up. Book clubs, people wanting to dog walk with others, local exercise classes in the village hall, craft nights etc. Hopefully something will interest you. Get yourself out there, good luck 😊

If you're in an area with a brass band and are musically-minded, you can usually learn an instrument for free with them. They should loan you an instrument at no cost too. Lots of people start later in life. We have an excellent, thriving brass band fairly locally that have a wide range of ages in the beginners band.

Oh wow! I've always wondered about joining a parish council, it's definitely on my list of things I'd be interested in doing.

Did you have to stand for election?

You have a great opportunity to try some new (low cost) activities.

Full time-working, single mum here too. DS is a teen so doesn't need me so much. I joined the parish council thinking it would get me out of the house one evening a month, and introduce me to a few new people. I've only been a member two months and already been to three parties. 🙂

I second the choir idea too. I have made loads of friends through Rock Choir. Don't need to be a good singer. No auditions.

I know what you mean, when your kids don’t need you so much you re look at your life and can seem a bit empty and you forget what you used to do for yourself! I’m not a single parent but my oh work’s permanent night shift so all my after work social time I’m a taxi service for my tween/teen kids and then I’m on my own. I’m not short of friends but do struggle to meet them as don’t have childcare on an evening and they’re still a bit young to leave for long periods. I’ve joined a gym this year which has given me a bit of purpose and can fit classes round my kids activities and feel better for it. I can’t say I’ve made new friends as such but some of my friends have joined too and as we’re all busy we don’t often get the chance to go together so chat to other people and have met up with old friends there I haven’t seen in years. I also took up crochet during lockdown which makes me put my phone down and do something more productive and creative than mindless scrolling! Also have a look on fb to see what groups exist nearby and see if any appeal to you, such as walking groups where you could go out with your dog?

See if your library has reading groups. Great way to meet people. Does your town have a fb group. Do a search and See if anyone wants to meet up for dog walks and a coffee. Meetup is a good site for finding like minded groups in your area.

You could join a local amateur choir group (even if you've never sung before) or an amateur theatrical group - people at those sort of groups are very friendly and it doesn't cost. Singing is good for you!