Hi Folks
As we are getting older and older, do you find that your social circle is getting smaller and smaller?
If so, what things do you do to increase or at least maintain your social life?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Joining a few local U3A groups could be a way. Lots of interests and/or activities are catered for.
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Since moving here to Lowestoft, I have made many more friends with my social life increasing with it. I avoid evening events, simply because I get too tired, but I have a weekly meet at my local cafe, sometimes I go out for lunch with one of the ladies (and different ones too), and if time permits, also go to a monthly quiz morning with several of them. Then, if in town on a Thursday morning, I will pop into the over 60s club to join them for a cuppa.
In about a week’s time several of us will try another coffee group in a church hall centre, when we are all here.
We have a u3a here but so far resisted joining that.
If you have any cafes near you, or pubs, try advertising a get together on social media, because that is how I met a lot of these ladies. (Started by someone else, who has now moved away).
I don’t know, by your username, if you are M/F, or your preferences, but somewhere like NextDoor, or a local FB group, is a good start.
Borrow a friendly happy dog, take it for walks and I can guarantee you will soon meet people.
I think the only way is to join things. The world wont come to you- you have to go out there to meet it.
Volunteeering, joining walking groups, craft groups, sports, seniors classes etc.
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That is a very interesting point you raise.
Since I retired I seem to have been going to far too many funerals of friends and acquaintances and as you say my social circle has shrunk considerably.
Ten years ago it was impossible to go to the shopping mall without meeting and chatting to many people that I knew, I remember thinking that it would be nice to just be able to go and come home quickly. These days I can shop and not see anybody I know all week.
I do have several friends at my seniors club but they are the same age as me or older and we are all getting frailer.
On the upside I have never felt lonely even though I am alone, my various hobbies keep me interested. I even changed the oil in my car a few weeks ago (took most of the day 
) Glad to see I still could!
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Hi Folks
Many thanks for your replies.
I have a full time job, so can only join groups holding events in the evenings or weekends.
I will try out U3A.
I enjoy playing cards, chess, Wordsearch puzzles and maths/numeracy quizzes.
What about joining your area WI?
We moved house about six years ago. We have found the people very sociable compared my previous one. Maybe it’s they are Yorkshire compared to the south…
My social circle cannot shrink as I’ve never had one, billy no mates me, perhaps when we retire maybe we’ll have more time to meet people…
I very much enjoy having a smaller social circle, less is more!
My social circle is microscopic, as it’s aways been and not by choice. These days I’ve come to accept it. I guess you don’t miss what you never had.
Yes! My social circle has always been all encompassing! I enjoy meeting folks everywhere I go: life long friends I haven’t seen in decades run into me and we recognize each other immediately. My three career choices allowed me to meet, mingle, stay in touch, and was lucky to find like/unlike minds during my life’s journey.
Everywhere you go, there is someone to share a bit of life with! You make the first move. Try it, you’ll like it!
I always thought U3a’s is for retired folk, could be wrong.
I joined Meetup ( world wide organisation which is an app you download) 6 yrs ago and never looked back. There’s always something going on, walks, theatre groups, meals/ drinks out , get togethers, cards/ games, sport events, book clubs, cinema , holidays and weekends away. You just look for a group who are doing something you would enjoy, press attend and turn up. The more you go the more you meet and make friends. Everyone has been a newbie at some point so nothing to fear and you will be made to feel welcome. I’m an organiser now and put events on regularly. Never had such a busy social life. There is usually something happening in every town so there will be something near you. Give them a try and see what you think
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I dont think U3A is exclusively for retired people - however their activities are all in the day time so that wouldnt work for OP working full time.
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I’d have to get another dog.
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It wasn’t mentioned in OP’s opening post that they worked FT, but still think u3a could be beneficial to some people.
There is always something going on here in Lowie and surrounding areas. I’ve never known such great opportunities! If I didn’t have the dog I think I’d be trying all or most of them.
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I have good friends but few. I mostly do not mix with People as my love of Animals takes over most of my life one way or another.
The Animal Charity Shops and many related fund raisers brings a whole like minded people together. So I would suggest going for a Hobby or interest that you like a lot and find related meet up places
Whether arts and crafts or photography or something they have over here quiz nights where you get for a small fee a meal as well.
You share with a small group of people as in a Team and it can be great fun as well as a social… a way of meetimg up with people you never normally would met.
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