Making new friends in your 50s

[CatUnderTheStairs]

DH has started new job where he’s travelling a lot. I’m getting a bit bored st home. It’s ok going out with our couple friends without him but I need to widen my circle...

Any good ideas?

I live in a smallish place where Meet Up doesn’t seem to exist. And I work in a v small office.

I made a couple of good new friends volunteering for a very tiny locally-based charity. Since then, and to my surprise and delight, at over 60 I have made a new friend at the gym.

I really do think it's important to be very patient and give any new relationship time, not drop into something once and think 'This lot's not very welcoming' and duck out again.

Is there an NWR group in your area? If so try them.

And wishing you good luck.

What’s NrW?

I agree that you have to give it time....

"National Women's Register (NWR) has groups across the UK that connect women who are interested in everything and talk about anything! Join us for lively discussions, to share ideas, meet other women and make new friends."

www.nwr.org.uk/

Thank you!

Do you exercise? Gym and running, cycling clubs are an excellent way to meet people.

I was going to suggest Meet Up. I've only just tried it out this week and it was great fun. I'd do it again. Would you consider starting a Meet Up group in your area? It seems to be quite simple. You join and then post that you will go for a walk or go to an event and anyone who wants to come with you signs up too. Costs are shared e.g. everyone gets their own theatre ticket or pays for their own meal etc.

You could also try to join or start a book group. I don't belong to one but friends I know do and they seem to be excuses for boozing and feasting and yacking with very little focus on the book. They seem very sociable indeed.

There are all sorts of clubs where I live (market town), plus lots of community groups, maybe worth joining a few
local FB groups to see what's out there or look on the noticeboard at your local community centre.

I agree about exercise classes. Something very bonding about it although sometimes it takes a while.

I’m in a friendly gym and go to regular classes and chat to people there. I like the idea of cycling though I worry about not being fit enough...

It's a cliché, but joining groups is your way to go!

Find one or two activities you might be a little bit interested in and search for groups in your area.

Pottery, art, bookbinding, cycling, bouldering, Pilates, learning Italian... preferably an activity where people either talk whilst they do it or have coffee/wine afterwards.

Good luck.

Are you in Scotland?

What do you do with your spare time ?
Or what could you do with your spare time, that you might enjoy?

Once you've done that, then you will be mingling with people with a similar interest and both enjoying yourself and filling your time in a way you enjoy and you will probably find friendships follow.

So - volunteering ? (1000s of possibilities)
Choir?
Badminton?
WI?
Towns Women's Guild?
Book Group?

I'm amazed by people saying they have madefriends at the gym and at exercise classes. I have in the past been to the same exercise class every week for years on end and never got to know people. We nod and smile warmly but we come in, work out and then leave. The things I've made friends from all involve being able to talk during class or having to open up in some way. Eg. creative writing, art and craft classes are really easy to make close friends at because everyone is actually revealing a bi tof personality through what they are making, and discussing technique etc. People end up going off together to practise in their spare time or to visit galleries or go to readings.

Yes I can’t see me making friends at the gym.

But I have in the past got to know people well through evening classes and tennis and climbing. But I was younger, single and had a lot of time to fill::: We’d go to the pub after or meet up to travel to a match or a climb.

And not in Scotland no. Somewhere fairly remote though.....

Ahh, was just going to recommend a women’s walking group but it’s for scotland. I’m sure there will be one for England too though.

Watching for ideas.. big cities can also be lonely places

www.facebook.com/groups/437447040455376/?ref=share

I've posted a link to a lovely, friendly Facebook group you might like to look at. Lots of women in their 40's and 50's looking to meet up for coffees, walks, etc.

Thank you violette

Interesting links thank you

Our gym is really friendly and I've got to know a lot of people there, women of similar ages who end up chatting for 10 mins before the class starts which then turns into half an hour afterwards, then on to a cup of tea in the cafe. It can take time and makes a massive difference what time of day you go.