Why Retirement Often Feels Lonely
George, a copywriter at a large advertising agency downtown, enjoyed his social life at work.
He had lots of friends, and he’d share coffee breaks and lunch with them. About once a week, they’d all go out to dinner or for drinks at a local bar.
But after the retirement party, all of that stopped.
George felt isolated and alone, missing his friends.
If George’s experience sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Very few work relationships continue when you stop working. That can lead to a sense of loneliness, leaving you feeling like there’s a hole in your life.
Studies show that people with strong social connections live longer, healthier lives.
The good news is you can make new friends after you retire.
Are you ready to find out how?
6 Strategies for Meeting New People
Here’s the thing – you can absolutely make new friends after retirement, but it takes some intentional effort.
“The happiest retired people are often the ones who seize the bull by the horns, who take the initiative in befriending people rather than waiting to be asked.” Celia Dodd, Not Fade Away: How to Thrive in Retirement.
The key is to put yourself in settings where you’ll meet people with common interests.
• Take a class. Take a class in something hands-on like pottery, cooking, or photography — activities that naturally spark conversation..
• Join a group exercise class at a local gym. You not only improve your health, but also meet other people. Try arriving 10 minutes early or staying 10 minutes late — that’s when the real conversations happen.
I recently reconnected with a friend I’d met at a senior yoga class in our community in Arizona several years ago. While talking after class, we discovered that we shared a common legal background.
• Volunteer for an organization that you support. Volunteering can help you to get out and meet new people.
A retired woman recently told me that she volunteers with others restocking shelves at a local food bank, where they’ve all become friends and have a great time together. Some of those friendships extend beyond their volunteer work. She looks forward to going primarily because of the friendships she’s developed.
• Work part-time. It’s typical to develop friendships with some of those you spend time with at work. Choose a role where you’ll work side by side with others, not alone in an office.
• Attend special interest groups. People often become friends when they share the same interests. A hiking club, walking group, or other interest group provides opportunities for friendships to develop.
• Develop remote friendships. In this age of the internet, you can even develop friendships remotely based on shared interests or connections.
I have a friend I’ve never met in person who is a fellow creator. He lives in Massachusetts, while I live almost two thousand miles away in South Dakota. We got to know each other’s work on the internet, and began emailing. For the last couple of years, we’ve held bi-weekly FaceTime video calls where we talk about our lives and work.
Your Challenge: Pick One Strategy This Week
It is possible to make new friends after you retire.
However, you have to intentionally seek to make new friends.
If you’re more reserved (like I am), it may feel uncomfortable at first. But even a small step — like introducing yourself to just one new person — can open the door.
Don’t expect instant best friends — real connections usually take several months of regular interaction to develop.
You can make new friends, but you’re going to have to take action.
Pick one of these strategies and try it this week. Sign up for that class you’ve been considering, or show up to your gym’s group fitness schedule 10 minutes early.
Don’t put pressure on yourself to meet your new best friend tomorrow. Think of it as planting seeds. Some may grow, some may not — but you can’t grow a garden without planting.
AI Note: I wrote this blog post myself, using my own words and thoughts for the initial draft. I used AI only to suggest headlines, section headings, images, and text improvements.
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