Living alone and feeling lonely

I remember when my daughter left home and I was alone I did miss her and felt lonely but I got used to it and have been on my own for a long time now.
I like living on my own now and would find it difficult to share with anyone.

MissAdventure

Me too, which I never, ever thought would be the case.

I've always chosen to be alone, but have said it's different to realise that it's no longer a choice, it's just how things are.

This sums me up too!
It's just how things are.

I've lived on my own for the past twenty years and I don't know why but for the last few months it's the first time I've really felt lonely. Getting older, I suppose.

Sending you big warm hugs and love. I get lonely in my marriage and I battle depression on a daily basis. I try and keep busy with my crafts. Knitting keeps me sane. You are not alone. 🤗🤗❤️

I was glad (in a way if you see what I mean!) to find your post LaCrepescule. I'm weighing things up and finding myself in a similar position. I divorced and our home of 30+ years is about to sold (60s now). Still a few years to work, one daughter working and living about an hour away might see her once very month, and one at uni though will probably leave in the autumn. Ex-H suddenly has loads of friends and activities, although I am glad I dont want him to be unhappy despite everything that's happened. But I notice increasingly my few friends don't want to travel to see me, they won't agree a meet up half way and want me to come to them. I have one family member - a cousin - I am close to and she's much older than me and not been well. I woke up this morning and thought if she dies I would be devastated. I'm also short of money to do what I want, although any theatre trips, holidays etc might be either alone or few and far between.

Really resonate with MissAdventure - I "chose" to be alone by divorcing (although really I had to, I couldn't have carried on with it), but now it seems that its no longer a choice as MissA says, but just how things are. I worry as I get later into my 60s how will things be? All my other friends have mortgages paid off, husbands that they either love or are happy to put up with, adult children they see a lot of, and plenty of spare cash to go on outings etc.

But as you say, it's good to see others reach out and say they are in the same position. BTW I will be doing volunteering etc. when I give up work, I really enjoy stuff like that, but making close friends is definitely harder as you get to this age and both my best friends died a few years ago. Dotpocka has a really positive attitude despite many set backs and is doing what I think is finding "glimmers" - ? little things in life that are good, and taking notice of them. Like if I talk to a neighbour and I feel that's a glimmer, if I walk the dog and see an interesting tree, there's another one.

I was just talking online to a friend who left our school at 16, was married and pregnant within a few months, and has gone on to have 6 children and posted pictures of her 45 wedding anniversary. Although she has had ill health, I wrote to her today and said how much I admired her, genuinely, for her lovely family. They had very little money, she couldn't work due to illness, but their kids are a credit to them. And many grandchildren now. Imagine Christmas at their house!

But don't get me wrong, I am beyond grateful for my 2 daughters and had them both with me for a few days over Christmas. Always happy to chat if someone is feeling lonely.

For some reason that I'm unsure of, I've felt very lonely and isolated this Christmas and New Year. I've got family and friends and I have spent some time with them over the holiday, but that seems to only heighten the sense of loneliness when they've gone. It's realising, that you haven't spoken to a living soul for several days, that brings home how empty, lonely and isolated you've become.

Your posts are like a warm hug. Knowing I’m not alone helps 🙏

It’s a big change and it’s early days. I speak from experience when I say that it will get better but it takes time. One practical thing that helped me when I felt lonely was to listen to audio books while I got on with other things.

Me too, which I never, ever thought would be the case.

I've always chosen to be alone, but have said it's different to realise that it's no longer a choice, it's just how things are.

pt2 but i have a staffie adores me a huge manx cat is running around like kitten.they both love the cold staffie is out right now keeps going out
it cold here (florida 0c)colder this week
i like the cold
i have lots of govt money for food
the crows are coming back after gone for 6 months
feral kittens new ones the last litter have all gone, little tux and a ginger might be more there is female ginger beenhere she was born under a porch next door her ands 2 of hers and aunty
they keep me sane

me too sometimes--lost my mom husband dad best friend
one dog 3catsand other friends went to other states because of politics the deaths were 3 years but 4 this last 6 months brother in law last month
things will get better
2 strokes ,a parasite in my brain ,lung cancer chemo surgery
going to lose my house.
keep going la