Retirement is something that many of us spend a lot of our working life looking forward to. But when we finally get there, it’s often not everything that we hoped it would be. Most of us plan our lives around work. The people that we work with become a part of our social lives and work dictates our routines. Suddenly having a lot of free time can be daunting, and if your friends are still working, it can be lonely.
Many retirees feel as though their social life stopped at the same time they stopped going to work. It can be lonely, depressing, and upsetting. But it doesn’t have to be. Your years in retirement can be filled with fun, friendship, and laughter. Here’s a look at some of the things that you can do to improve your social life once you have retired.
Consider a Move
It can be hard to make friends in later life. During our working years, most friendships are made through work in one way or another. It can also be hard to try new things. We get set in our ways, we’ve spent years being too busy for hobbies, and now we don’t know how to try anything new.
Moving into a senior care community is a great way to meet new people, try new hobbies and have new experiences. Many people find that moving to a senior living facility once they have retired gives them new independence, improves their quality of life, and boosts their mental health.
Reach Out to Old Friends
Work often gets in the way of friendships. When we’re busy with jobs and younger families, it’s easy to lose touch with people or drift apart from close friends. Retirement is a great opportunity to reach out to old friends, colleagues that you’ve lost touch with, and people you’d love to see again. Don’t worry if you haven’t been in touch for a while, as most of them will have been busy, and will be glad that you are making the first move. If you don’t have contact details, try to find them on social media.
Spend Time with the Younger Members of Your Family
Spending time with your children and grandchildren is a great way to have fun, stay young, and keep your mind open to the modern world. If you don’t live nearby, try to make plans to see each other regularly, and even to take trips together.
Get Involved in Your Community
You might remember a time when the world seemed smaller and more friendly, when neighbors chatted in the street and communities banded together in times of need. Well, the world can still be that way, you might just need to look harder. Look for groups, classes, and clubs in your local area, volunteer at your local library or community center and try to get involved in anything that you see that interests you. Often, the simple act of saying hello to people you pass in the street can break the ice and help friendships to form.
Retirement should be a time of opportunity. If you aren’t getting out much, you miss the companionship of work, or you are feeling lost, it’s time to make some changes and get out there.