Finding Companionship in Retirement

For many people who have lost a spouse, finding companionship in retirement is something they struggle with.  But there are definite steps you can take to help remedy the situation.  While they may seem difficult to do at first, making that first move will usually convince you that it wasn’t as hard as you thought.  Senior citizens, after all, are a very social group.

The first thing to remember is that you are not alone in this and many of the people you meet would like nothing better than to help you overcome your loneliness because many of them have been in the same situation.  Finding companionship in retirement may be as simple as joining your local Senior Citizens Club.  Many towns have a center of their own and they advertise their meeting dates and times.  We have found that they have one thing in common – they are all looking for new members.  Many will even provide transportation.  The dues are usually a very small amount, especially for what you get in return.  Our local center has lunch every Wednesday and list a number of clubs that you can join.  Their big activities are trips that they organize almost on a monthly basis.  While there is a cost involved, it is usually very reasonable.

If you have any hobbies, you can usually find a club that meets on a regular basis.  Although bowling leagues may not be as popular as they once were, they still exist and it’s a great way to meet new people.  Organinzations such as the Lions, Elks or even the Masons are still around and, trust me, they are all looking for new members.  Any one of these organizations can become something that you “get lost” in and, before you know it, you don’t realize how busy you have become.  But, for most people, finding companionship in retirement can be as simple as a weekly card game or attending a book club meeting at the local library. Reading is one of life’s great gifts.  Don’t forget, if you’re not the type of person who loved to read, audiobooks are a wonderful way to discover the wonder of literature.  Who doesn’t love a good story?

Hobbies and Interests are Great Ways to Find Companionship in Retirement

A hobby or an interest can be very fulfilling and lead to many new friendships.  Woodworking in particular comes to mind because my wife is very fond of building little projects.  Just a passing word at a party can start a conversation with someone who has the same interest.  We recently came across a guy who builds canoes and some of them are masterpieces.  He has become very skilled at his craft and belongs to a club that is working on a very big project.  He has found new friends and has developed new skills.  He’s having the time of his life.

Golf, and the aforementioned bowling, are two sports that come to mind as a way to expand your social circles.  Tennis and pickleball are also activities that can be the source of new friendships and what’s nice about them is that, with indoor courts, they can be enjoyed all year.  I happen to like billiards or pool, and I used to have a table in the basement in my youth.  We travel in the winter and stay at timeshares to get us through the winter months.  Many of these resorts have activity centers with pool tables and there’s always somebody looking for a friendly game of Eight Ball.  You do have to be careful though because sharks are a real thing!

Simply going out to a local spot for coffee in the morning can lead to finding companionship in retirement.  Our road trips always include morning coffee and stops every two hours on our journey down south.  More often than not we’ll see a group of about six or eight people sitting around having breakfast and drinking their coffee.  While it’s mostly men, there are some mixed groups and, occasionally, a group of women who are just enjoying each other’s company.  Their conversation is always lively and many times includes updates on their travels.  No doubt, there are some travel partnerships that have been created from gatherings just like that.  We have been fortunate enough to be able to go on a few cruises and we found that it’s not just couples.  We don’t go on big ships and travel with companies that don’t allow children.  We love children, just not on vacation.  We have seen a growing number of people who are not husband and wife, and it makes complete sense because there is a little bit of a penalty in cost when you cruise by yourself.  Those single occupancy rates can be a little steep.

Obviously, everyone’s situation is different and there are some very sad stories about loneliness in your later years.  I hope I have been able to offer a little bit of encouragement and motivate you to start a new day.  If friends are what you want, the best way to find one is to be one.  It’s time to make the most of this special time – it’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!

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