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144

Middle Aged Folks with no social group: How do you do it? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by lemmy_acct_id_8647@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I'm 42 (TransFemme). I work from home. Have precisely zero close friends and not even any real surface level friends that don't live 4+ hours away. Acquaintances at best and none I can comfortably call upon when shit goes sideways. I have no family. They all have either passed or, like my original friend group, disowned me about a decade ago when I came out and transitioned. So no one to put on an "In case of emergency" contact form.

Work holds no meaning other than a paycheck. I don't really feel a desire to improve a billionaire's bank statement with my hard work.

It feels like I'm just going through the motions. Biding my time until the inevitable. I know I can't be the only one. Heck some of y'all may even be flourishing after similar situations. For me? Everyday feels more lonely than the last.

How do y'all do it?

(No this isn't an unalive myself cry for help. Yes I am in regular therapy. I just don't have any other avenue for asking such things besides publicly here and some other socials)

EDIT to add: I live in very rural US and unfortunately moving is not an option for me at this time or anytime soon.

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[–] Hawke@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago

Also rural US here. For me: Play board games, find other folks to play with. Facebook group for better or worse, but over the years other methods help such as FLGS game night, or bar game night.

Also effective for another friend: “retro” / couch-friendly console video game nights. Invite over friends to join.

And another: book club.

These are not all necessarily things I am interested enough in to do on my own, but am happy to join others in. Persistence is key. Just because no one shows up a few times, that’s okay. Be flexible within the context of the activity. It’s fine to hate the book you’re reading, or just hang out to talk/listen even if you don’t want to fully participate. And allow others to do the same, but be welcoming and inviting!

Hope this helps.