topic Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely in Leave a Health Tip

It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

AARPMaggie — Mon, 17 May 2021 13:23:07 GMT

The next time you're feeling too tired or busy to ask a friend to lunch, attend church or join a new club, go ahead and do it anyway. Why? A recent report, detailed in this article, shows that loneliness can be as much a threat to longevity as obesity — even in people who say they like to be alone. So pick up the phone and call a friend today. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

PaulH627938 — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 13:27:02 GMT

if anyone feels like their alone, it would be me. i have no family around me, none to call upon. i have friends but not the kind i can call upon just to "talk" so i really am alone no question but i don't let it get me down. i love being alone. i can't stand anyone being in my home for more than 15 minutes but i am still joyful by keeping what friends i have, watching my favorite programs on t.v. reading my favorite books online solitaire is my games playing my radio & my talks with GOD keeps me sane.

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

jezebellydancer — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 21:08:42 GMT

I write and participate in National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org). I have made friends all over the world. I also participate in the local write-ins to male friends with local writers. (It's free.)

Before Covid, I organized a meetup group of game players. We met every Sunday afternoon. When Covid started, we began meeting online using websites like boardgamearena.com. It's free, but become a premium member for $20/yr and it opens up more games and lets you invite players. We use zoom so we can talk while playing. Because we were playing virtually, we could invite friends from all over to play with us. I also made some friends on the site. You can jump on anytime, learn how to play the games wither through written rules, watching a video, or observe an actual game. I love it.

I don't mind being alone. I read or write. I'm also going through my things in efforts to downsize and sell off or give away things I no longer want/need that my son isn't interested in.

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

chenkmm — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 21:28:27 GMT

"i can't stand anyone being in my home for more than 15 minutes"

Why is that, do you think? I'm like that too, and I wonder why. Because it seems extreme.

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:56:01 GMT

June 9, 2021

Hi @jezebellydancer sounds like you keep busy no matter what. I am also going through my things since retiring last year July 2020. Lol, now with things returning to normal, I have lost interest and heading out my front door every chance I get 🤣😂

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:57:15 GMT

June 9, 2021

Hi @PaulH627938 some days I okay with no family nearby. The other days I miss being able to see them versus texting or video calling. I am a loner and enjoy my own company. So grateful I was able to retire last year July 2020. Now I can choose to be around folks versus having to deal with folks I rather not have in my life. Great post 😁

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:39:44 GMT

@chenkmm wrote:
"i can't stand anyone being in my home for more than 15 minutes"

Why is that, do you think? I'm like that too, and I wonder why. Because it seems extreme.

💥Me too @chenkmm . I guess mine comes from being an only child out in the country for my first 7 years of my life. Lol, the farm animals were my friends 🤣😂 💥

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

lewalberts — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:09:57 GMT

I've got you beat. In the area of friends i have only 1 left and he is 1500 miles away so phone calls is the only communication. Family is 1200 miles away and it is only my wife and my dog that I really have to talk to. I have acquaintances but not what I would call friends and even those I can count on one hand. I have been a loner for as long as I can remember (maybe 5 or 6 years old) and it doesn't really bother me until I read things about how we are supposedly "wired" and then I am the odd man out. Fortunately my current wife is of similar bent. BTW, I am 81

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:55:27 GMT

June 9, 2021

Great post @AARPMaggie 😁

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:56:34 GMT

June 9, 2021

Hi @lewalberts it helps when we are with folks like us 👍 My only child gets it. She is the Social Butterfly 🙄 We cannot live together, way too much traffic for me. We tried it a few times over the years since I am divorced but ended up hating each other. Lol, she could not wait for me to move out and I could not wait to move out 🤣😂

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

jezebellydancer — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:48:21 GMT

I was called back to work after only 2 months furlough. It's retail with a lot of customer service involved. By the time I get done work, I just want to be alone. LOL.

I'm generally very gregarious. But with no where to go, I had to find ways to balance my alone time, with my "people" time. Playing games has been a great way to do that.

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:54:52 GMT

June 9, 2021

Hi @jezebellydancer retail can be draining. I can no longer do it. Did it off and on while in between jobs. I no longer have the interest in keeping a smile on my face while being cussed out by a customer.

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

jezebellydancer — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 23:02:33 GMT

@RetirementAngelaVA I hear you. I didn't have a choice. I needed a job. The pay and benefits are good for a retail type job. It was billed as an office position, but the actuality is more like retail/customer service. I'm on my feet a lot more than I care to be. I finally found a position more in line with my skills and desires. I start in a few weeks! A big plus is no more working weekends, or working until 10 or 11 at night and then having to be back at work by 8am. There's a special place in hell for customers who stroll in a few minutes before closing

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

ClaudiaG662061 — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:02:23 GMT

I have no family, period & my friends are all married. But, it's up to me to make myself happy. I'm all I've got so I have hobbies that I love, I listen to upbeat music, I read, I research, I do quizzes online & I watch 1/2 hr old comedy shows before bed. I'm alone but I'm not lonely because I've accepted being alone & know it's up to me to be happy. I'm grateful for what I have. I don't focus on what I don't have.

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:07:05 GMT

June 9, 2021

Good for you @ClaudiaG662061 😁

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

dgluer50 — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:10:52 GMT

Having worked in customer service for the majority of my working years, I truly DO NOT MIND BEING ALONE! Even if you tried to work but had any kind of cough...you were avoided like the black plaque-- where as before they were all in your personal space. Whenever I needed to have company I would just call up someone and we would just talk away,,

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

2Papa — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:12:17 GMT

I talk to myself (and answer)!

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:13:50 GMT

@2Papa wrote:
I talk to myself (and answer)!

💥 Lol @2Papa 🤣😂 💥

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:18:13 GMT

June 9, 2021

Lol @dgluer50 luv your reference to black plaque 🤣😂 So true!!!!

Re: It's OK To Be Alone, But Don't Be Lonely

SteveF506793 — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 01:16:09 GMT

My recent retirement occurred just a bit before COVID hit, and I found that the following activities really helped me keep a positive attitude, even when I could not get out and join friends for lunch, a movie, or golf.

Bible Study over Zoom - great discussions relevant to what is going on in our lives and how we are managing situations that arise
Reading about a Favorite Hobby
Trying and Studying a New Hobby
Short Outdoor Conversations with Neighbors - briefly discuss what is going on in each other's lives and offer encouragement
Personal Time in Bible Study - either a book regarding Biblical principles as applied to life situations OR actually time reading The Bible - (every single time, I felt better afterwards than before I started)

It is amazing how the Holy Spirit can speak through us and through our neighbors when we reach out in concern for others. As most all religions say, "Love your neighbor as yourself." If we do, God's love and peace comes back at us.