I'm in a very similar situation to you, and it's not easy. Right now I am working on volunteering and attending a few events through meetup.com (not a dating site....just a site for activities with people of similar interests). It hasn't been easy to go to the meetup events, but I've gone pretty consistently to one group for the past few weeks and I'm starting to get to know people, and people are starting to get to know me. I'm not at the point of having made an out right friend yet, but it is socialization and it does get me out of my apartment and interacting with other people, so I do recommend checking out the site and seeing what activities might be in your area.

I think volunteering is another way to meet people, but I'm still working on finding a place....I've put in a few applications so I'm just waiting to see if anything turns up.

I don't know if any of that was helpful, but I hope that you are able to make some social connections soon so you can start feeling less isolated...I know it's not easy.

Wishing you the best....

I don't have a magic potion for loneliness, but I know how you feel. It is difficult to make friends when you are older. I agree with sonnycamehome on volunteering and finding a group with similar interests as you. There are hundreds of groups out there or online. Try taking a walk at a nearby park. It's definitely hard to come home to the same four walls and share with your pet. I do it everyday. I have tried several things and have met people. Haven't found a true friend yet, but will continue to try. Big hugs to you and I am here for you.

I would give anything if I could get up and volunteer . I used to be a teacher . I have a small dog I do the same I am starting to turn inward as a protective measure . I was in a group here and I swear nobody ever answers my post. It is very clickish anyway. Life goes on. I love God my dog. I have fond memories of a career gone by. I am learning it is not me always . sometimes folks are screwed up too. I was very social and now I am not. I do go to a few meetings . All seniors are not having the time of their life this is a chapter of loss change and it is not for sissies. I feel out of place in my place I live because there is nothing here for a senior and the younger folks just ignore you or just wave out of a sense of have to... I wont give in and so neither of you should and what people think of me is none of my business as someone said. IE you spot it you got. it. We live in a very me world. I wanted to give my kindness to others but it gets tiring not to get it back .. I will keep trying. I feel like I have the plague in a room here I contribute to. No matter what I wont quit. we must realize life is changing and we have to make the change to not give up is our rally cry . People can really be snarky even when you are trying hard with all you have . Hugs to all of you. lets go for a bite to eat LOL

Thank you so much to all 3 of you. Your replies mean alot to me. I tried serving at a free clinic our church sponsers. I worked Tuesday night and my anxiety was getting to me and I snipped at one of the volunteers. I came home feeling horrible. So much for volunteering. I thought about the meetup thing but never tried it. rainbowlegacym55 please know my heart goes out to you. My mom lives in a retirement apartment complex and I see how hard it is even at that age for friends. My mom has had a couple of friends die and it was so hard on her to realize now, her friends will leave. I tried getting out and doing things even with my mom and still never met other people doing the same things.

I had no success on dating sites....some contact me and others never respond.....I do meetup and like it alot....it is getting out of myself....I also do AA and that helps too...see same people mostly only at meetings but tonight five of us went to dinner after meeting....had nice time but it was five guys and that is not as much fun as having a few gals in the mix...LOL :=)

It is really tough to find friends when you are older. So many are into only their own families, grandchildren, etc. But alot more people are living alone these days so youre not alone in your feelings.

I know you said you have family....but maybe google the words "elder orphan." It made me feel not so alone. Alot are aging alone and it can be scary - but there are alot of us!

I have just spent the last two hours crying over my loneliness, it's now 3am, I have a headache from crying and I have to go to work tomorrow. But I will say this .... I think .... chronic loneliness becomes a habit. You believe that it's the only thing for you... like chronic smoking ..... and to break the habit you have to envision yourself as something else ... which is hard when you have spent your whole life believing that you will always be alone and are in essence a loner ... just a thought ... xx

Bella, I feel absolutely the same. Seems like there are many of us out there, too bad we didn't all have each other! :-)