“Feeling Lonely? Let’s Chat and Support Each Other”

Hi everyone I'm feeling very down don't know why especially 😕 I got out for a walk today was nice sunny but cold .I'm forcing myself to get out there for coffee with acquaintances voluntary stuff etc but I'm really not feeling it .DD and 2 DGD live in next village see them once a week after school so not all bad .Just wanted to chat with some new friends really .I need a new focus

Truffles43
No, most of what I do is new to me.
I originally volunteered as a volunteer education ranger with the Forestry Commission back in 2013. I had just retired from teaching and offered my services to help out with school visits.
I loved it. Bug hunting, shelter building, campfires and pond dipping, we're some of the things I was involved with.

When the FC outsourced their education provision, and the staff, including me were no longer required, I was invited to help on the farm. The farmer's wife was one of the full time rangers and another ex ranger also volunteered.
We have met up once a week ever since. The other two volunteers are very knowledgeable about the forest and its flora and fauna and they have been busy teaching me!

I have to add that the two ex rangers who, like me are in their 70s, were up at 4.30 am on Saturday participating in the annual deer count. Such is their dedication.
I think the strangest thing I've done so far, is collecting leaves off old cherry trees for DNA testing. They are in a very old orchard and the trees are not named, so the DNA test helped to identify the different varieties.

Today we pruned apple trees....and drank coffee and ate hot cross buns.

fiorentina5
I think what you’re doing is fantastic and think more people could benefit from helping in places like this, not that they exist in that many places but wouldn’t it be good.? Getting up at 4am might see me recounting deer as I wouldn’t be at my best. Collecting leaves from cherry trees for DNA sounds strange but I understand why it is a necessity. Please keep posting as the people on this sight do like to hear about people’s days even if they don’t all participate.

Being active, where that is possible, is a great antidote to loneliness.
I have identified that Tuesday is a day when I feel very low. It is a day when I have no regular activities. So I-have resolved to plan to do something specific. I have to make my mind up on Mondays, otherwise the day drifts by with nothing to show for it.
Yesterday I drove to visit an exhibition and included a coffee and a short walk. In the afternoon a neighbour came to help me with a specific task. The day passed quickly.
January and February were very bleak months, so cold, and nothing much going on. But I wasted so much time whereas there are things at home I could have got on with. I’m hoping now I am more active that I will also use my spare time more productively. Sunshine helps.

Good morning, everyone!
well I have a couple of people I can get out with on occasions, and I am grateful for them, but to find someone on the same wavelength as me , is , I think what makes me to feel lonely, and if I tell you I go to the local church, it makes me wonder if not you.
oh yes, to get out into nature,, wonderful. Sunshine surely helps

My goodness this thread is growing! How lovely to meet you all and read about your interesting lives.
We all seem to have a touch of occasional 'downness' and sense of loneliness in common - but as you say polnan I think that is part and parcel of being older. I have grabbed hold of the concept of "positive thinking" where you turn the negative thoughts that come into your mind into positive ones. For instance while I was writing this I was thinking how much we older folk have lost - and then I thought weren't we lucky to have had so much! The other mantra I have is "an attitude of gratitude" where if I'm feeling down I tell myself how lucky I am and list the ways. This has truly worked for me.
Fiorentina I'm loving your tales of the forest - please keep them coming! I'm sure what you do is hard work but the surroundings and all the things you learn must make up for that!
About 20 years ago I was lucky to meet someone who introduced me to tai chi and I fell in love immediately with the slow gentle rhythm of the moves. I've been an instructor for 15 years now and absolutely love it. No matter how much you have done, there's always something new in it to discover and understand - and share.
Anyway, it's a sunny day today, and I think it's the same all over the country. So let's really enjoy that. This is a housework morning for me but I shall be popping out at too frequent intervals to sit by my little pond, coffee cup in hand, to watch the goldfish. Just practicing for summer, you understand .....

Taichinan interesting what you say here, we are alike in so many ways. I practice Gratitude, turn negative into positive, affirmations, meditations, but it still all remains hard work for me. I find when I first get up I can be low,, shower, that seems to get me up and bit.. then I do a bit of Tai Chi,, very, very, basic! lol

I picked that up a while ago, Polnan, that we seem to have similar outlooks and attitudes. And you even do tai chi!! I read years ago that if you take up tai chi at 60, by the time you're 80 you will have the vitality (as in 'vital organs') of a 40 year old. I'm 83 and want to believe that!!

This lovely chat keeps getting better and can be so positive. I am of the belief that you use it or lose hence my walking on the days that I can. I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday’s walk on the beach met another lady walking her dog. Our dogs ran together having fun for ages while we threw the ball and chatted. Without this walk I would not have had this meet and chat. Today was different as my balance issues returned with a vengeance so a short walk/stagger it was. 🤣Never mind tomorrow is another day and it may even be sunny again.
Enjoy your evening everyone.

I do admire all your walking Truffle - you must be very fit! I'm just not a happy walker, although I used to go out with our local Ramblers and Hillwalkers group. As a Ramblers of course! It was a wonderful way to see places I wouldn't otherwise have been able to get to. I have so many happy picture-memories.
Tomorrow's going to be another lovely day according to my weather app, so I hope it will be for you too. Goodnight to everyone.

Good morning,
Thank you for your kind comments regarding my ramblings on working in the forest.
I have enjoyed reading other posts on here too. Lots of good advice on dealing with the awful gloom that can hit anyone from time to time. I must try Tai Chi!

Last night I went with my son and DIL to see one of my grandsons perform in his school play. A large cast of very talented 9 to 12 year old, clearly having a great time.
As we waited outside to collect the children after the show, we heard them singing as they were walking down the corridor.
Wasn't that nice? 🙂

Good morning fiorentina. Children are such a joy, aren't they! As is another sunny morning with a warm day in prospect. Enjoy your day.

Good morning everyone
No walking today as not feeling good with balance and nausea, tomorrow is another day. I will have a lazy one today as can’t do much else hopefully this will pass quickly. Reading about you going to see your grandson’s school play cheered me up as I absolutely adore being a grandma. It brings me so much joy just being around these quirky opinionated little people they are such fun. I say enjoy them while you can as they will soon be all grown up and doing their own thing. Does anyone else have grandchildren ?

Sorry you're not feeling so good today Truffle. I hope a day of rest will put you back in sparkling form.
Yes, I have five grandchildren and one adorable little great-grandson! None of them is a child anymore (except the great, who is 16 months) as the youngest is now 19 and at uni. You're right - they're such a joy, no matter how old they are. Unfortunately my oldest, father of my great-grandson, is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. It is something called Hairy Cell Leukaemia and is one which responds well to treatment, so we're all clinging to that. I know of someone who also had it in his 30s and is still going strong in his 70s, so that's encouraging. F himself is being very cheery and upbeat even though the side effects of chemo are not the best.y family are spread far and wide so apart from the youngest granddaughter, who is at uni about 40 miles from me, and who pops up to see me a couple of times a month, I don't see them very often, but we're all in touch and they're much loved.
I'm glad you are enjoying yours so much.

Taichinan
Thank you for your kind words. So sorry to hear about your grandson. Treatment today is all groundbreaking stuff and survival rates are good. I am very hopeful for you all. My son has cancer and is doing well at the moment living from scan to scan but we do our best to stay positive as he has school age children. Each day something else is discovered regarding cures for illnesses so I stay positive. Hoping all our outcomes are good ones. I wish you well.

Hello everyone, especially people who have joined the thread recently! It’s lovely to hear what you are doing.
I do agree with the experience of several posters, that lonely and down times intrude randomly on our efforts to ‘carry on’ as best we can and can also appear among our happy times. Low times for me are often when I wake up and, after 16 years without my DH, I still think “Another day without [name]”. Living alone with loss is such an art and skill and how good to hear of people’s coping strategies and wisdom.
This morning I took some things to the Hospice charity shop (supporting the wonderful place where he died) and later on I shall go to a new exhibition at our local art gallery. I have also got a painting on the go.
Keep posting everyone. So good to share our lives. Have a happy day.

Good morning people. Truffle I'm so sorry that your son has cancer - there seems to be so much about these days. As you say, there is such good medication and treatment around these days - but the chemo is so harsh. However we can only be grateful that it is there. My son was saying the other day that he wishes it was him going through it, and I feel the same, but .......
I wish both our young people all the best.

Indiebee I agree, even after 30 years. You just get used to the loss as a part of life and carry on regardless.
Keep on with your painting. I used to paint, but then I discovered tai chi and there was no time to paint and I've lost the knack. But finding something that you can immerse yourself in and that takes you out of yourself is definitely the answer. I wish you joy with your painting.

Thinking of you Taichinan and Truffle43, for having cancer diagnoses in your families. Praying that the treatments succeed.
Cabbie21 - coffee, an exhibition and a walk sounds perfect for your otherwise gloomy Tuesday!! Right up my street. What was the exhibition showing? I went to one yesterday by a group of local artists at our art gallery - lots of intriguing paintings and ceramics. My walls and shelves are all full, however, including some of mine, so no purchases.

Taichinan - 30 years for you? Thank you for your encouraging post about painting. It's a very important pastime for me. I did one term of Tai Chi before the tutor had to close the class due to low take-up, but have been going to an exercise class to music for years - which I love.

I have already had a gorgeous walk today. Saw a lot of blue tits daffodils and other bits and bobs. No beach but countryside and I came home beaming from ear to ear, no reason except I felt happy. I feel a lot better today had to use my walker but hey ho I was up out of bed and the weathers nice what more can I ask for? My really exciting day will be spent washing and getting it dry on the washing line oh I love the smell of fresh washing mmmmmm. Anyone else adore that smell?

A walk in the fresh air dies that, doesn't it Truffle. I can just feel you breathing in all that beauty and fresh air. I've only been out to the washing line so far, but having read your post I can feel a wander round the garden coming on, with a stop to feed the goldfish.
I also have two birthday cards to write and also a letter of condolences to a friend - the latter a sad task as I was bridesmaid at their wedding in 1966. She has dementia now and we live too far apart for visits - the downside of a long life I suppose.
Anyway enjoy the rest of this sunny day - aren't we lucky x

I didn’t get out to buy a card for an old school friend and thought I will use the company advertised on tv. Well I was inept lol. My information kept vanishing, got it done after several attempts then realised I hadn’t sent a message in the card 😂 I then had to send her a message telling her what a plonker I was and the empty greeting card was from me. It did make her laugh.

I think this is so important to have page like this to chat openly about issues we're having with our generation alpha grandchildren.