Loners

The Velveteen Ocelot

(120,820 posts)

5. Join an organization of some kind, do charity work, take a class.

Reply to littlemissmartypants (Original post)

Fri Jul 20, 2018, 09:50 PM

Jul 2018

You don't have to be an outgoing person - for example, I'm taking an art class. Mostly I go there and paint; I don't really have to talk much to other people if I don't want to because everybody is absorbed in their projects. Volunteer for a charity - you'll get out of the house and away from your worries and you'll be doing something good for others. If you like gardening join a garden club - again, you don't have to be super sociable but you can be around people if you want to. If you're musical join a choir, band or orchestra, or take lessons. Take an adult education course on a topic that interests you. There's lots to do; all you have to do is decide which of many options you want to choose.

After I retired I was by myself without much to do but then I started getting involved in various activities (all of the ones I mentioned, actually). It made a huge difference!

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I'm reaching out. [View all] littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 OP

Volunteer for a non profit randr Jul 2018 #1

I already do that. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #3

Are you able to travel? randr Jul 2018 #39

I traveled a lot when I was younger. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #58

Work with children DownriverDem Nov 2018 #76

Or animals...some of us prefer them to people! Merlot Nov 2018 #81

Thanks for the reply, randr. Nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #6

Yes, children and/or animals. 💙 sprinkleeninow Nov 2018 #82

First thing to remember: there are many others out there feeling exactly the way you do True Dough Jul 2018 #2

I live in a really small town. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #4

If you don't find the answers you need here at the DU True Dough Jul 2018 #16

. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #17

I live in a small town too. backtoblue Jul 2018 #44

Thanks backtoblue. I am feeling a bit better today. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #52

Sounds like me. notdarkyet Nov 2018 #80

Thanks for the reply, True Dough. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #7

Join an organization of some kind, do charity work, take a class. The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2018 #5

Thanks for the reply TVO. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #8

If you like politics, and you must because you are here, volunteer to applegrove Jul 2018 #9

Thanks for the reply applegrove. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #10

There are some small-town things that are pretty effective "involvers" Mopar151 Jul 2018 #11

Thanks for the reply Mopar151. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #18

I feel the same. defacto7 Jul 2018 #12

Thanks for this defacto7. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #22

Lonely Vanessa Rose Jul 2018 #13

Welcome to DU. Aristus Jul 2018 #15

Thanks for the welcome Vanessa Rose Jul 2018 #37

Welcome to DU. irisblue Jul 2018 #40

Thanks for the reply Vanessa Rose. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #19

I second that. My dog saved this lonely day for me elfin Nov 2018 #77

Our dogga daughter is a rescue/save, but I say she saved us! 🐶 💙 sprinkleeninow Nov 2018 #83

There are social groups for people of certain political persuasions. Aristus Jul 2018 #14

Thanks Aristus, closest chapter two hours away. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #20

You could take a little road trip and stay the night in a hotel. nt UniteFightBack Apr 2019 #86

Never knew about MontanaMama Jul 2018 #31

Hope you find a local chapter, MM... Aristus Jul 2018 #32

That looks interesting!!! n/t RKP5637 Feb 2019 #85

I just discovered this group because of your post hibbing Jul 2018 #21

Thanks for this hibbing. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #24

same place... you are not alone... lapfog_1 Jul 2018 #23

Thanks for the reply lapfrog_1. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #25

There is an app, "Meet up." I don't know how far it reaches but there are dozens of meet up 3Hotdogs Jul 2018 #26

I'm in NC. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #46

Good news is... Crutchez_CuiBono Jul 2018 #27

Thanks Crutchez_CuiBono. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #53

Hang in there d_r Jul 2018 #28

Thanks for this d_r. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #62

Is there a YMCA or other recreation center in your town? Jane Austin Jul 2018 #29

I second the Y. I go to water aerobics classes and have made many casual Nay Jul 2018 #42

Exactly Jane Austin Jul 2018 #67

I have trouble walking out my door Varaddem Jul 2018 #30

I'm trying Varaddem. Thanks for the reply. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #47

The animal shelter here needs Jane Austin Jul 2018 #33

Thanks for this Jane Austin. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #48

I used to see you around here a lot, but not much recently. Your posts were always welcome. NBachers Jul 2018 #34

Thanks for the reply, NBachers. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #49

Hey, if you are still there reading d_r Jul 2018 #35

Thanks for this d_r. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #50

Good d_r Jul 2018 #59

♡ nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #63

Reflect on what in your life has given you passion. bmpbmp Jul 2018 #36

Thanks for the reply bmpbmp. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #51

The only time I felt truly alone and helpless peacebuzzard Jul 2018 #38

That is freaking scary! irisblue Jul 2018 #41

It took awhile and muscle to break the door peacebuzzard Jul 2018 #45

That's scary. I'm glad you made it out. littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #56

I wish I could make it better. backtoblue Jul 2018 #43

Thanks backtoblue. I am feeling a bit better today. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #55

Read The Lost Connections rainy Jul 2018 #54

Thanks rainy. I will look into it. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #57

Just wanted to say hi today! backtoblue Jul 2018 #60

Thanks backtoblue. I am feeling a bit better today. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #65

Hi lmsp! hurl Jul 2018 #61

Thanks for the reply hurl. I'm hanging in there. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2018 #64

yes i understand there are some elections coming up dembotoz Aug 2018 #70

Bumping this thread True Dough Jul 2018 #66

♡ nt littlemissmartypants Aug 2018 #68

Hey, lmsp. sheshe2 Aug 2018 #69

Sorry it took me so long to reply. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #73

Honey it is hard for us all. sheshe2 Nov 2018 #74

Just want to say.. I've been there... ellenrr Aug 2018 #71

Thank you, ellenrr. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #72

No suggestions here. peacebuzzard Nov 2018 #75

Hope you are having a good day today. Dave in VA Nov 2018 #78

I think there were a lot of good suggestions made in this thread Jarqui Nov 2018 #79

I just happened across this thread. Glad I did. BlancheSplanchnik Jan 2019 #84