No one that I can call a friend

[whatisforteamum]

I've been too busy for friends.
Long hours at work,kids husband over the years.
Great acquaintances at work and no real time to myself.
Fast forward to now when kids have moved miles away and husband is too tired to do much and I've cut my hours.
How can i realistically get companionship at my age.Dont suggest new work colleagues as they aren't my cup of tea.

Just ask some collegues to meet for coffee/walk/drink/gym.
Chat a bit more to mums and neighbours and offer coffee or pick ups from school to widen your circle of support x

What are your interests or hobbies? Or what have you always wanted to try but never had the time? I'd look to see if there are any hobby groups / social clubs / classes locally that might be a way of meeting people with similar tastes.

You could look into meet ups? WI, Rotary or Inner wheel or other interest groups? Local community choir? Volunteering?
I find generally being open, interested in people and being willing to be the one to suggest a get together works well for me.
I have a small handful of close, long term friends but also a nice group of friendly acquaintances. Always have someone to go for a walk with/get a coffee or whatever. I'll also occasionally go for a meal with people I met through work. We're not close but we enjoy it every now and again.

I have a similarly not very social DH although he is not a total hermit. I'm not massively social as in I don't do loads, but I'm generally considered quite friendly which seems to help. Best of luck!

Thank you.Im not a massive social butterfly and I think I'm an open minded chatty person I could use some company as weekends are quite lonely.
I knew I had to make this change as I was previously a workaholic.

I think your attitude of making the change is a good one. Ultimately is is up to us really, isn't it? I hope you find what you're looking for x

Redlarge - I don’t think you read the op!

No advice as I’m in the same situation! Looked at ‘meet-up’ but there seems to be a lot for singles.

There are apps to meet like minded female friends.

There is the bumble app (it's a dating app but on the same site there is a platonic meeting female friends part)

There is another called patook.

These are more one on one than groups. You could give it a go?

I think maybe reframe it as you now have all this time to really explore what you love doing? Try out new activities rather than actively seek friends - choir, running club, art class etc. Then meeting like minded new people will become a bonus, rather than something that might feel quite pressured.

Op I met my friend in the summer. Tons friends she in everything choir drama group etc. She said we have put ourselves out there.. I met a school mam yesterday. Its hard I find people dont commit now.

Roughly how old are you? Whilst I'm not looking for new friends, I'm early fifties and have found like minded people in smaller groups around flowers and gardening. Also on short courses on wreathmaking, chocolate workshops and cake decorating have shown me a surprising age range of fabulous women. The group sizes meant a lot of interaction.
Two of my closest friends have met new friends at mindfulness classes and Buddhist retreats. One isn't Buddhist but I'd say these have helped both of them mentally.
WI type groups seem to be having a big resurgence in my area and aren't all full of elderly jam and Jerusalem types.