With such an attractive smile ... is that a self portrait? Welcome to DS and this group.

Actually ...I have no 'real time' friends .. but I am SO busy . I probably would not have time for them anyway. The things I do ... daily, .. keep me so busy .. no depression, no loneliness ... I like my life.

I adore my dog. I have a house to keep . lawn to mow, .. I have 3 motorcycles ... and spend a lot of time working on them, .. when not riding. I am refurbishing a classic sports car.

I am a community leader here for DS .. in this group ... and I have 2-3 other hobbies that keep me (very) busy.

I am 68 years old, .. single .... and enjoying life ... alone.

That's interesting, because I had a wonderful home up until 2 years ago (lost it in foreclosure, very, very difficult) and had LOTS of things to do to occupy my time, much as you do now. Living in a single-wide mobile home which is definitely NOT nurturing me and I don't have any of the luxuries I had with my home. I had a pool,W/D,plants outside, big garage, lots of space and I have none of that now to keep me occupied. So, my actual living situation greatly adds to my sadness. I no longer am surrounded by beauty and never have people in. I'm happy that you have created a life that is rich and full. That is my intention. BTW: the photo is of me, but not w/in recent memory. It was taken at a wonderful event and I can only with I actually felt the way I look in it!!!

Hi. I hear you. I feel like this almost all the time now. I even just sit and watch my husband do things, and I have no motivation to get up and do anything myself. Yet, I feel trapped. I don't have friends I hang out with. I just tried to sit on our back porch, but the neighbors were having a party. How do other people have people they hang with? How does that happen? Why/how do I get to be alone almost all the time.... it is painful and uncomfortable and extremely difficult to put into words. *hugs* Thanks for sharing and know that I get it.

I will share with you one of the many things that has helped me in the past when I have had that feeling. Volunteering. I did volunteer work and it was so rewarding and such a great feeling inside knowing that i was helping other people. You can volunteer at a Hospital with people or at a Animal Hospital with animals ot basically volunteer your time almost anywhere these days. Google it or call around to places in your area and see about volunteering. I ti very rewarding and it feels really good to help other people and step outside of your own stuff. :) You can read to the blind you can do so many things that will help you feel like you have purpose in life and people will be so very grateful. How amazing is that?
You never know you might make some friends too!

I lived in a single wide for a while and it was not so bad. Most days if I came out to sit on the stoop a neighbor would pop out for a visit.

Just getting out and doing something you love will get you in contact with like minded people and that is what makes back yard BBQ's happen.

I'm getting more and more concerned as I read the posts. I absolutely KNOW that only I can change things in my life. One of my mantras has always been: I'M WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES!

But for some reason, it's just not happening. Like if I keep doing the same thing the same way, I shouldn't be surprised if I get the same results. And I know that, but none of that has an impact on this heaviness, this dreariness, this not being able to participate in life. And it's not that I don't WANT to. I've always wanted to make a difference in peoples' lives and for the planet, yet to be in action seems now an impossibility. I wrote in my journal: WHAT'S TO BECOME OF ME???? And I truly wonder - economically - will I even have a place to live? What about money as I get older and - God forbid - I should be incapacitated in some way and not be able to even earn money to live. I do my best not to go there, as it's surely the path to hell, yet I also know I do need to be a bit realistic and have some sort of plan, which I definitely do not have now.

All I can think of is getting better, whatever that means or looks like. So things like volunteering and sitting outside and hoping to talk to someone (wonderful suggestions) do not interest me - in fact are just foreign at the moment.

My prayer/intention is that the day will come when I will be able to post here that I am leading a productive life, full of joy and prosperity. And, of course, I wish that for all of us. Blessings!