Invite the people you know at the library, senior center, support groups if they would like to join you for coffee, for lunch, for a walk in the park, to a movie, out to dinner. Start with a small invite ("hello, how about coffee after this meeting?") and work up to bigger things ("I'm going to the farmer's market Saturday morning, would you like to join me?" or "Would you like to meet for dinner Friday night?").

Yeah some of it is just putting yourself out there. Several years ago after my step dad died my mom lived alone and she was about 4 hours away from her family. She did a lot of volunteering when she lived there and she was active in her church community. She was able to
establish some relationships that way.

It’s hard to put yourself out there but sometimes you have to be the proactive one.

I have some online friends with whom I ve been in touch for 10 years. I value their friendships as much as in-person relationships

Hi. I know how you feel. I'm 61 and have 2 grown sons but one lives in another state and the youngest one is in a relationship but in a way he's not really there for me. I am married but my husband comes home from work and TV goes on and hardly no talking. I don't drive anymore. I have 4 dogs and 4 cats that are mainly my only company and I get sad often. I do have a brother but he also lives in another state and he seems to be busy all the time with his wife. I have tried to reach out to people in the past and mainly I find ones who are just concerned with their feelings and not mine. Don't get me wrong but I also need some one who actually would listen to. I have been to counseling in the past. It helps but when its finished I feel so alone again. Is there any advice? I do try to stay busy too and bike rides also.

Big hug for you ML...… I agree to reach out to one of the people who you know and ask them over for coffee or see if you can meetup in a café

There are MeetUp's that people use now to meet people safely for a variety of reasons for simply coffee and conversation.... I think that the have them for bipolar as well as activities... If you wanted to you could MeetUp with new people and if at first you're uncomfortable talking with new people I think there are groups that MeetUp to go to a show

Another hug.... I remember Gina used to always write if you want to make a friend be a friend and you're always so supportive of everyone.... xo

Thank you all for your thoughts. I think for me anyway, I'm ok on my own, meaning I'm not lonely....not even sure about picking up the phone....if some one did call...hate phones! I have reached out to meetup and joined a group, at my senior center I have signed up for a bike club....both I'm waiting to go to an event. Guess I'm just missing a person in my life who "knows me and my story"...they along with my family are gone. I do attend a weekly support group and one other group weekly as well....

If you would like my advice - why not going to a church and joining a weekly Bible study. Believe me, I know what you are going through. Please, try joining or just going to church. You may meet nice people and start friendships there.

If you would like my advice - why not going to a church and joining a weekly Bible study. Believe me, I know what you are going through. Please, try joining or just going to church. You may meet nice people and start friendships there.
Persistence is key

I am 36. And I doubt anyone other than my boss would ask my whereabouts should I be hospitalized. So it's not just you.

You can make friends wherever you are, in whatever shape you are, simply by opening your mouth and talking to someone. How about striking up a conversation with someone in the doctor's office? You'll both have illnesses to talk about, and that's something in common, the start of a friendship.

Here is what I am finding: I have to work at being with other people and making new friends. It doesn't happen automatically or instantly. Instant friendships can turn out to be the user types of people. I tell myself I must do X and Y in terms of going to group outings, I can't slack off due to fear or introversion. I have tried a few things that turned out not to be my thing but I don't beat myself up. To make friends, we have to show interest in other people and be kind to other people and initiate that friendship. It is worth keeping on trying.