Leaving a group?

[WildCoasts]

I moved to my current city six years ago. It was a long haul move and I knew no-one. I joined a small community charity group to meet people and it's been great, but I'm now struggling to find the time to fit it in. Part of me wants to move on, part of me wants to stay, but only because I don't really have other links outside this group and I worry I'll have no-one if I stop. It takes time to find new places to belong.

I don't know that I would be staying in touch with other people in the group once I leave. If that's so, then maybe it's creating a false sense of friendship anyway?

Any thoughts?

How many times do you go to the group? Do you have to go every week or could you drop to once a fortnight? :)

I could go less often but the main thing I struggle with is the prep tasks I need to do for the group rather than the time of the group itself. If I went once a month it would still take about 10 hours prep time. I know that doesn't sound like much but it is for me right now. I've been struggling with this for a while.

It sounds like you’re finding it more hassle than it’s worth.

You could try to meet some members outside of the group to see if there’s any future friendship there. If there is then you can leave the group and continue to see them. If there isn’t then leave the group anyway in order to put your time towards a new group/activity.

Suggest a pub meet-up with the group. If they don't arrange it then they aren't friends anyway. If they do, then you can transition to that.

Sounds like you have time for a hobby, but need a simpler one? Try investigating what else might suit, hopefully you'll make more friends doing that.

MRex - yes, that's it. I need something simpler. I'm thinking of taking a couple of months break and seeing how I feel after that.