GN makes me lonelier

I probably have the most boring life.
Half of my family live abroad.
I leave the house once a week with whoever takes me shopping.

I just think of you all in your peaceful homes, then think of mine, four dogs, one husband, one son, 22, two daughters 24 and 27 and one daughter in law of 26! It exhausts me just thinking of it hahaha

The grass isn’t always greener and do try and count my blessings

But many of us have been there, Cossy
Add in full-time job and caring for an elderly disabled relative, plus a DH who worked away.

But only one dog! 🐕

I like the chit chat on GN. Love to hear what others get up to. Things and places I will never do or visit. I read a lot of different threads and ramble on some . But GN has helped me through some tough times . It's a cosy place to come as I know I am not alone . Love hearing about other people's family,friends,pets ,gardens etc. That reminds me must order my compost ready for when my veg plants arrive and sort out my greenhouse ready .

Hope RosieandherMaw you are feeling less lonely and know you are not alone . You have had some lovely posts in reply to OP. And GN is open 24/7. 🌹

When my first husband died I was in my late 40s with a busy job in childcare, lots of amazing friends, 2 children and GC , life was so busy. When my DD went to university I would sometimes pretend not to be home when visitors called just to have some " me time"
Fast forward to now I have moved, married again, AC and GC all live a plane ride away, tried unsuccessfully for years in new place to make friends but have given up.

Retired 2 weeks ago and have repeatedly been asked "what are you going to do?"
Well, I love my days alone, reading, listening to the radio, pottering around the garden. Thought my house would be spotlessly clean but that hasn't happened.

I'm actually enjoying the peace and quiet of not having my family around me (is that an awful thing to admit?)
Back in the day, the whole family would have come to me for Sunday lunch, Easter, Christmas etc. I really couldn't cope with that now

DD said something interesting re Yes I arrange coffees and lunches with friends but feel I am usually if not always the prime mover
If you've always organised, you are perceived by friends and family to be the organiser.

I think one of the sad parts of widow or widower hood is not having anyone to do nothing with.

I like the idea of an "alternative gn" thread and envisage The Vicar of Dibley as the patron , thinking of her sat scoffing chocolates in her red pajamas on the sofa!!
I read a lot of gn's threads and learn things and ideas and write my twopennorth in too. I do find it helps to feel part of a group on various threads, not just the practicalities but I do find it hard living alone , when I am having a tough time physically and think it is much better to see what is happening with people rather than dwell on things here. Of course there are things that I disagree about , or wonder how people have come to some conclusion. But on the other hand I am also amazed at lots of very clever crafts and ability to do emojis and take good pictures etc , so it is like life in that you can have friends but not necessarily agree with their points of views all the times. So hurray for all the variety of contributors, and I have been glad to come on here tonight to stop thinking about something else and now can go off to bed thinking of the version of alternative gn I could be. Good night all and a better day tomorrow