How to kickstart a social life from scratch age 42?!

[Ohwheretobegin]

So, as above, I’m 42, recent life has been stressful with a 7 year old child with various issues, but now he’s 7, settled into a lovely school and happy, I feel like I am more than ready to get some sort of life back.
I have a lovely DH but he is a bit of a workaholic and works away a lot, and have let pretty much all of my friendships drift. I am close with my parents but they and DS are pretty much the only company I have when DH is away, which is pretty sad! Also, Throughout the summer months, when it is just me and DS at home I am frequently in bed by 8pm! I’m wasting my life!
I have a neighbour at the back of my house who is lovely, I am friends with her on Facebook and she just seems to be having a fabulous time every weekend socialising with friends and their kids playing together and I am envious of this. She is in her early 50s, seems to have a great group of friends and I want to be more like her!
I have been so lonely at times this year and want to make a resolution to change this in the new year.
I guess I am feeling sorry for myself, but want to be proactive and do something about it, but where on earth do I begin?! How do you make new friends at my age?! Anyone else in a similar situation who has managed to get themselves out of a rut? Advice needed please!

You’ve basically just got to put yourself out there.

PTA (don’t take ‘big roles’ and try and swerve the political bollocks), volunteer for beavers/cubs/scouts which will come with the (probable) bonus of a space for your ds.

I’m also 42, the good bit about getting older is you don’t have to really care about what’s ‘cool’. See what’s going on locally, are there any community committees you could join or any hobby groups that take your fancy. if you can pick something that interests you any connections you make are a bonus.

if you’re in anyway religiously inclined sound out your local offerings and get involved.

Following because I’m almost the same age and I’d like to know the answer to this. I’ve already joined a sports club and get along with the people there but any other ideas are welcome!

On the surface I do seem to have quite a good social life but most of them were DP’s friends first, because I moved to live with him. They do like me (I think!) but I’d like my own friends who see me as a real person and not just DP’s girlfriend.

I've made most of my friends through volunteering with causes I care about. I've also used the BFF side of Bumble!

Can't you wangle an invitation to your neighbour's gatherings? That's what I would try to do.