Loneliness

[NoNameNoOne]

Hi.
What do people do to combat absolute loneliness?
I have dh and dc but that is literally it.
Family have died. ILs not interested - literally zero friends. WFH for an international company so only communication there is via zoom, don't even know parents at school as dc only joined this year and obviously due to SD there has been no opportunity. Used to go gym etc but now because of circumstances and no vaccine and my underlying health issues have been advised to keep distance.
Keep getting really emotional and think its down to feeling so lonely.
I used to have friends so don't think I am terrible person- maybe I am just boring and annoying.
Maybe I'm just a lost cause but don't want to be down all time for dc.
Any ideas?

Loneliness is awful, no wonder you're feeling so bad. If you're going to tackle it you need to get to the heart of where it came from. So my post is mainly questions:

Where did the friends you had go?
Do you genuinely think you're boring and annoying?
Is there anything in life that you get joy from at the moment - a hobby, for example?
Could you be depressed?
Do you connect with your DH's friends? Do you make an effort to talk to the parents of your DC's friends?

Can you re-connect with old friends?

Make new friends! Outdoor sports activities are starting up, so if it's safe for you, you could join a club. I've also had success with the bumble friends app - a lot of people won't reply but I've met some nice 'going for walks' buddies on there, during covid.

People drop out of your life because you end up in different life stage, not because you're an unpleasant person.

Can you start to take part in local things - book groups may still be online, but will start meeting again over summer probably.
Lots of groups of women getting together for walks etc.

Check MeetUp.com for what's happening locally. Also Facebook groups and events.

Do you have a hobby you can pursue? I met a lovely group of people through a creative writing group a couple of weeks ago and now we meet fortnightly. I would consider them good friends and we go out to other things together too!

I moved and changed jobs.
DH friends are also very close to his ex so is awkward. I do join in when invited with LO but most is through his work also so it's not often something for me to be involved in and on the occasions I am we have no childcare so can't both go anyway.
To be honest, I probably am totally boring. I don't go anywhere apart from food shop and school run.
We moved so the parents that I did know at the other school are now half way across the country.
I did used to go to the gym etc but am high risk and due to underlying health issue can't have vaccine yet.
To see old friends would def need at least an overnight but it's all sort of been left so long that it's quite awkward now. I have tried to keep in touch by text etc but it's been fairly 1 sided and I don't like to force myself on people.
I don't think I'm particularly depressed. More stuck in a rut with no way out of this hole I've fallen into.
There is no opportunity to even introduce myself to the other parents as far as I can tell. Each class is let out specifically with 5 mins intervals and we each have to line up distanced against a wall where the teacher brings our children out to us.
I thought of joining local WI even but they sort of said they are not looking to increase numbers at present and being that they are mainly 65+ I might find something else more appropriate.
It's all quite embarrassing really.
I'm not useless in other areas.
I have a good job etc.
I am getting more and more self conscious by the day so am probably retreating more and more into myself.
I really miss what I once had though.
Especially family but you can't replace that anyway.
I'm sure I'll perk up.
Just a bad day x

Thanks for suggestions! I will certainly investigate some x