Socialising (Edinburgh/Midlothian)

[itsoveritshard]

Unfortunately I'm now finding myself single after 15yrs. As a shift worker with a very small group of friends who are all settled and with their own families im hoping I can increase my social circle and meet new people and make new friends. Work makes weekly/scheduled classes difficult to attend. Any idea how I can increase my social circle and not end up wallowing in the house feeling sorry for myself?

join a gym - classes tend to attract a regular group of people but you don't have to commit to going every week. I know you're there to exercise not chat but invariably there's some chat before / after and it's an hour you're not alone.
a running or walking group
book group - they don't tend to meet so regularly
volunteering
try meetup www.meetup.com/

Is there a sport or hobby you're interested in so you can join a club?
What about a drama group, art group or a choir?

Or badminton, tennis, golf, bowling, football, curling, hockey, canoeing, sailing, running, walking.
Sports clubs are usually welcoming of new members and you can just join in the club sessions when you're free.

Often there's cuppa and chat afterwards so it's good way to meet people where you've instantly got something in common.

Borrowing a dog is a great way to chat to people too, only works if you're a dog fan!

Thanks for the replies. I think I need to look at myself and learn what I like again after letting things slide for so long and not taking time to be me.
I do run but I'm slow and like a bus so don't think fitness is the right route.
Amdram and choir is be chucked out after 5mins as I'm hopeless.
Reading is a good one as is borrowing a dog I love dogs so that would be amazing if I could find one to take out

Sounds old fashioned but women’s institutes are still a thing. Lots of groups in Midlothian. I think they are cooler these days than they were.

@Mountaingoat12 do you need to have a talent to get on in the WI? (Cooking, baking, sewing etc) I'm absolutely hopeless at all of the above 😬

Hi 👋

I also live in Midlothian Nr Dalkeith

The libraries all have great groups on. There’s a crochet and knitting one starting in Dalkeith.

There’s community gardens all around you could get involved in on an ad hoc basis and all sorts of other brilliant projects on the go.

Get on your local community pages and see what’s going on

[quote itsoveritshard]@Mountaingoat12 do you need to have a talent to get on in the WI? (Cooking, baking, sewing etc) I'm absolutely hopeless at all of the above 😬[/quote]
The Leith WI is very active and you certainly don’t need a talent to join. Just go along and have some fun!

Im in Edinburgh. Rarely go out either.
I've always fancied Ceroc classes but don't have anyone to go with.

openbookreading.com/

If you like books and reading, take a look.

Some really good ideas. Reading makes me realise I'm pretty talentless 🤣🤣 and might need to push myself out my comfort zone a bit.

@Frigginintheriggin would you not consider going along yourself? I'm sure you'd be welcomed especially if you have a keen interest

Hi @itsoveritshard - re running, I joined a Couch25k group at my local running club 4 weeks ago and they're a lovely bunch, mostly women of a range of ages and running experience - have had some lovely chats so far. Might something like that suit?

I'm sure I saw a Rubbish Runners group around Dalkeith/Eskbank area on FB. For rubbish runners .

@trulyconfuseddotcom that actually sounds really good. I'm on week 5 of C25K so could be worth looking into

I'm definitely a rubbish runner. Sometimes I feel like I'm going backwards 😂😂😂

@Frigginintheriggin

Im in Edinburgh. Rarely go out either. I've always fancied Ceroc classes but don't have anyone to go with.

I used to swing dance, but a lot of the same people do Ceroc I think, and I bet it's taught in a similar fashion. Everyone rotates. It's actually easier if you don't take a partner (if that's what you mean). Very friendly folk, and lots of loners, as I was.

@itsoveritshard It might suit you quite well if it's like ours because you do 2 runs a week with the group (ours are Mon & Weds) and then one whenever you can fit one in on your own, but quite a few folk only manage to make one of the group runs due to other commitments so then they do two in their own time those weeks. It's quite flexible!

@trulyconfuseddotcom that does sound really good. Are you local to Edinburgh/Midlothian and could tell me the group you're in? No worries if you'd rather not

I'm not but it's a Jog Scotland group so have a look on here: jogscotland.org.uk/joggers/find-your-nearest-jog-group/

Thank you, I'll have a look

@itsoveritshard I’m also thinking it’s time to make new friends. I moved to a new area not long before lockdown- poor timing! Not in Edinburgh though.

Has anyone tried one of the meet up groups?

@WouldBeGood I wondered about those kind of groups or even websites. Im quite shy so it would take me everything I have to force myself to something like that but it could be an option

I might try it when there’s no masks, I think @itsoveritshard.

Give myself time to work up to it! 😃

Get yourself to parkrun if you’re doing c25k, there’s plenty in the area!