Keeping social once retired?

my friend has taken early retirement in the last year. He belongs to a gym so now goes to classes too. He’s joined the university of the third age and enjoys many of their lectures. Other people I know volunteer at foodbanks, charity shops etc and have joined clubs which suit their interests. The Women’s Institute is more than just jam and Jerusalem and have a variety of speakers that might introduce you to a new hobby. We also set up a street WhatsApp and often have get togethers. Some of these things you could introduce now before retirement and start meeting new people now. Then when you’re retired you can engage more with those people you click with. I hope that helps - it’s scary, but sometimes it’s a case of putting yourself out there.

Thought you were on about social media😂

i meet lots of people when my dawnie ties me up outside shops 🤗

🤐🤣

I suppose a good way to meet members of the opposite sex would be to sit in the public gallery of a divorce court

Don't worry. There's a lot more potential for being social once you're retired than there is whilst working. Before I stopped work, unlike when I was younger, I had no social life over the previous decade or so. This was because I was always at work or commuting. Sometimes I was so tired I considered sleeping under my desk rather than face the journey home.

TBH I don't do a lot now but I do more than when I was working. I joined a weekly knit n natter that make things to raise money for a charity. They often run stalls at all sorts of events and even at music festivals.

There's the potential to do lots of other things but the fear of catching covid prevents me (my daughter has had long covid for 5 years and I don't want to risk me having it too). However, the latter is another story.

I quite like the idea of being part of a repair shop or joining a Men in Sheds that has women (some do). The people I knit with do a whole load of other things from craft groups, to choirs, dance groups and zumba.

My parish hall has hot drinks and a natter once a week. Those who are more ambitious can consider getting on the parish council. Even though I live rurally there are WIs and Townswomens' Guilds, a weekly art class in the next village and always lots of volunteering opportunities.

Dog walking seems to lead to a lot of socialising. Someone I know is in a Whatsapp group for local dog owners and they help each other out with dog sitting and walking now and again.

It takes a while to adjust after working for so many years but without the restrictions and exhaustion of work you'll have the space to explore all the social things you can do in retirement.