Building Routine/Early Retirement

[buildingbonfires]

Anyone had to build up social network and routine after retiring?
I am awaiting an assessment for autism which might explain some difficulties I have had in creating a social network over my lifetime. Also with starting new things. I have slid into early retirement due to compounding health difficulties. I have children at home. DH working. No older relatives to care for.
I have an interest which has created some social life but I would benefit from more routine and structure that would bring me into contact with people.
Did anyone retire not having anything to go to and have to build a new way of life? I do have some friends but most are either physically impaired (and I am reasonably active) or still working. Energy levels are varying currently.

I came on to ask the exact same thing.
I'm ADHD with autistic traits awaiting diagnosis.I found out at 58.
Fast forward to 60 and think I will retire soon ish.
Trouble is all my social contact is via work.
I don't have friends as such.Im friendly chatty bubbly person.
I have joined a walking group so hopefully this will help.

If I had a bunch of friends I think it would be different. People to do activities with. I have made more of an effort to make friends through an interest but it has been slow and I don't feel I'm making any progress in terms of new friendships though grateful for the good friend or two I have made. There doesn't seem to be very many new people joining the couple of established groups I attend. It feels stagnant.

I need to join one or two other groups. The problem I have is that I appear to get bored very quickly. Like I need dopamine hits. I'm still not officially diagnosed and this has been a rocky road so far. I believe I need to try some medication to slow the restlessness down.
whatisforteamum I joined a walking group but I didn't feel like it was a good fit for me. I would say that there weren't enough ND people in the group as these are the individuals to whom I am most drawn. I got bored by the superficial small talk though I recognise the walkers were pleasant people. I have a couple of ND friends and a couple of ND acquaintances and this can bring problems too but here I feel most comfortable. I've looked on the U3A interest groups and would love to see a ND walking group or other interest group appear. I'm thinking of starting a small group for the friends I have already met but this would be monthly and I feel like there needs to be more regular contact for friendships to build. It feels difficult building a retirement routine and it would be much easier to work in terms of ready made structure and people but I feel exhausted to contemplate going back to work. My mood seems low. It feels like a struggle. I do not feel content pottering and this is probably due to the ADHD and autism overlap. I still don't know what the answer is. I'm thinking about volunteering but fear I will get bored there too.

Volunteering sounds good.Somewhere to be and something to do.
I hope I like the walking group and feel like I might.Only time will tell.