Lockdown has made me realise I have absolutely no friends.

I live in Hertfordshire, anyone out there?

When my husband died I joined a bereavement group and as a result have made several very good friends (we were all in the same boat), Thee were one of two people in the original group who didn't want to continue to meet after our initial six weeks but several of us have remained close. However there was a man who we didn't encourage to join us, and part of me feels badly about this, but the trouble was that he only wanted to talk about himself. He would tell long, almost interminable, stories about the bus not turning up on time or Co-op not having his brand of tea! After a few times we didn't ask him to join us any more, because we found we would all chat and giggle together and then it would all grind to a halt while this man told a story and yet he never asked any of us how we were doing! You have to be interested in other people to make friends, if you want them and many people are quite happy without.

I am too in a similar situation- I am in Surrey if anyone would like to connect with me.

I have had one person let me know where they live and we have started chatting any others out there in Hertfordshire?

Anyone who is feeling lonely please Google National Women's Register and see if there's a group near you. We meet informally in each others homes. No committe meetings to worry about. It's easier in a home (or as of recent times, garden /walk) situation to get to know someone who gradually becomes a friend. Please give NWR a try. I've belonged to two groups over the years, in different parts of the UK. Both equally welcoming.

Great post Kerry. I have only just discovered this forum so I may be over-posting today Looks like many people are in the same situation as the OP. I divorced years ago and lost many friends because of this. It’s hard to socialise with couples when you divorce and they are friends with both of you. I have a family and partner but it’s not the same as a close female friendship with someone of a similar age. I joined the WI but it wasn’t for me. At 58 I felt too young for that particular group and I felt awkward not knowing anyone. I like my own company but still miss the kind of close friendships I’ve had in the past.

Bit of a late reply, Kandinsky, I am in the same position as you. Didn’t matter when I was working, work was all consuming. I struggled with retirement, made the effort to join a couple of groups, enjoyed the activities but nothing friendship wise developed. I also did some voluntary work in a school, really enjoyed it but people just turned up did the work then left. Seems that others have very well established friendship groups. I have always struggled to make friends & suffer from social anxiety which has got worse as I have got older. Before the first lockdown I was busy which helps with the loneliness, now all the groups have stopped it is difficult. I am trying to be accepting of this situation, at 63 I can’t see it changing.

When I am depressed I feel I have no friends, but like many other people it is going out and joining groups where I have made new friends. They are mostly acquaintances but over time you find people you get on with. You have to go up to people and say I am new can I join you. Sometimes you will meet with unfriendliness but rarely I have found. I try to find someone to go for a walk with every week and then you can chat about wildlife you can see. If you really think you are boring (which I expect is not true) ask them open questions about their children, or favourite holiday or hobby and that might start a conversation. Listening is easier than talking and most people will want a chat.

If you have a gym near you join it and do some classes.I did that and I have made lovelyfriends

Just a word about volunteering. I volunteered at a local school for 3 years.From the moment I rang the head to say I was self isolating as I was vulnerable, to now 8 months later, no one from there has ever bothered to find out how I am. I feel really valued Not

For a long time I've thought, this virus is going to strike us at the heart of our human nature - to socialise.
I live in a previously close-knit community. At first we (about 10 of us) used to contact eachother by phone, and in person, about weekly. Now that has dwindled to hardly ever.
I use local bus service a lot and people were always chatting, but with mask wearing now it's limited.
Having said that, I often get a kind word from someone when I stop for a standup rest outside Tesco. Where they've closed off the sit-down rests.