Feeling like im on the slippery slope!!!

I am 73. I have four close friends and quite a few acquaintances but I am quite happy with my own company…..😁
I live on my own since my son and his girlfriend moved out last December and I’m quite happy, I do work part-time three afternoons a week in high dementia care home…

SpinDriftCoastal I think there are different types of people, those who thrive when in the company of others and always busy, and those who prefer alone time and only the company of those they really resonate with.

Many people are introverts.

I much prefer being alone or with my family.

I've been like this for a few years now. I don't even go to the supermarket as u get it all delivered.
I took my grandson to ENT yesterday and that's the first time I've been out in real public (apart from the local corner shop) for months and I couldn't wait to get back home.

I don't like people much and don't really like socialising, I, happier alone with my own company.

how old are you ?

I do go out every day, almost but I am more than happy to get home to my cosy, safe space. I don’t like crowds anymore and avoid big groups of friends. 4 is my limit now then I get irritable. I think it is an age thing and I recognise I am an introverted extrovert .
I think you might need to speak to somebody about how you are feeling as talking to an outsider can help you clarify your situation then find a way forward .
Good luck

Keep going a day at a time. The nights are drawing in which doesn’t suit me. I’m a SAD (seasonal affect disorder) so ready to hibernate till the Spring. Try and look for a positive each day. Take care and get help if you feel no ready to go for it.

I'm hardly ever out now,I care for my husband who has Alzheimers.I used to enjoy a trip to our nearest town to do a bit of shopping, now I can't walk far and fall too easily, and I don't mind not going out, I like crafting so I can always find something to do.

I love being out and meeting people BUT it is the getting there that is my problem. I have lost confidence in getting myself from A to B. What with closed roads, road works and new roads I am not prepared to try with added anxiety about parking I am happier staying at home. Will I fall over and not be able to get up when I am out or what if I am taken ill? Given all this, I am happier at home socialising by phone or WhatsApp which is not the same thing.

GrannyGravy13

Some days I force myself to go to events/do things outside of my comfort zone.

I am often pleasantly surprised and enjoy myself.

Agree wholeheartedly with this, it's often when I really don't want to do the thing that brings the best outcome.
I'm solitary by nature, preferring to go to talks, cinema, concerts by my self & loving alone time but that can feel too comfortable, which then turns into being a 'comfort trap' that I'm reluctant to leave.
It doesn't have to take too much to feel part of things again & I always know when I need to get out there!

Some days I force myself to go to events/do things outside of my comfort zone.

I am often pleasantly surprised and enjoy myself.

Our planet is a beautiful lady, but it's far too peopley out there for me!

Love this phrase!

I know exactly what you're saying!

I work f/t, so I have to see people, but like you and others, I'm in and out of shops, etc., as soon as I can to scrunch up at home alone- just me and my RoboKitten and RoboPuppy, books and mugs of tea and glasses of cream liqueurs! Oh, and big fluffy throws!

Our planet is a beautiful lady, but it's far too peopley out there for me!

Yes, wise words.

It is the natural aging process Travelsafar when our world becomes smaller

Many of us embrace it and living in the moment helps

The mental acceptance and change are difficult but when acceptance happens, that is when calm and peace descend

For various reasons I find the change from Summer to Autumn very difficult and this year the news is so depressing and friends are struggling, one obsessed by politics, I do go to my group meet ups but am more than happy to be at home

I got like that during Covid. After 2 years when we were finally allowed out of our socialist prison here in Australia we went for a drive to a cafe and I just couldn’t cope with the crowds so we came home instead. I have readjusted to life now but had to force myself to! I really think you should try to have some sort of social occasion once a week - when you get there it is often not as bad as you thought! At the very least speak on the phone to someone.

The older I get, the more I find myself avoiding people. So many women just chat nonsense and I find it boring. I do a few group activities but go straight home. I’m happy just pottering around on my own. I’m done with airports, so will only travel in UK, but 2 nights away is my limit. I’m not depressed- quite the opposite- feel very content. You do you and don’t worry.

I really don't know what kind of person I am. I seem to have spent my years being busy-busy and though I know loads of people I am pretty devoid of friends. Of course, I have lost a few in recent years. I am the sort of person who volunteers for committees and having been an accountant am treasurer of three local societies/charities and load of people know me an will say hello in the street or supermarket, but I don't know a soul to go for a coffee with or invite to mine. I'm even more restricted now that DH is housebound as the place isn't in a fit state to invite anyone and I'm busier than ever (and noticing my age). I'm also pretty bad at phoning people. I maintain it is a phobia but maybe it's an excuse. I prefer to email folks but lots of people find that intrusive.

I know that if I were without DH, despite it not being a good marriage, I would be bereft. I need to do something about it while I can. I am not a person who likes to be alone and I don't do hobbies such as arts and craft - though I could read an entire library on holiday!

People also tell me I'd be first on their list if they needed help or advice yet nobody has ever offered to help or advise me.

I think you are doing fine actually. I have always been a home bird anyway. Depression as in "my life not worth living" is a case for the GP definitely, but being naturally an introvert and being so more as we get older seems natural to me.

I do watch the news however in moderation, I have alway had political interests so they are a big part of a window on the world, and also do quite a lot of Zooming as well as in my faith group Quakers where there is quiet reflection and real caring.

I'm also fortunate in belonging to a gym for 24 years with friends there but sort go no obligation bump into folks not intense so go there 4 times a week.

I must state that I dont sit around moping. I try to get out every day for a walk and fresh air. I enjoy teaching myself how to do painting via utube. I have 4 new babies within the family expected at end of this year and early 2027 so am knitting like mad. I love listening to audio books, looking after my plants on my balcony and enjoy films on tv. I do play scrabble once a week with 2 other people so im never bored. I am happy to see several of you feel the same as me.😊

I enjoy meeting up with friends and acquaintances at my regular groups, but I hate socialising with people I don’t know. My groups have not met during August so I have spent a lot of time at home alone, quite lonely, not wanting to go out to find the company of random people. It’s a bit of a mixture of emotions really. It’s great that everything is starting up again.

I’m a bit like this since retirement doing what I have to then going home. I think for me it’s a bit of adjusting to my new time of life. However lately the news has been deepressing and I’ve heard bad news for a few weeks in a row I think it’s just how we all cope. Home is our haven isn’t it?

I'm a bit of both too. I'm at ease in my own company but I do recognise that it's good if we get a bit of balance. I have noticed a shift in levels of anxiety though and maybe feeling a bit overwhelmed when asked to go out somewhere. So I'm wondering if your anxiety levels have increased and if so, it might be good to see your GP. Maybe there was a trigger that your not even aware of. I know my trigger was Coeliac Disease diagnosis, which is an antisocial and isolating condition. No gluten, so dread being asked to eat out. Also sprained my ankle quite badly at the beginning of August. I am walking better now but like Astitchintime, after her stressful hospital visit, I too burst into tears when I got home after a stressful day. But I also think we don't all need the social stimulation that we once did. But it is still nice to have a little bit of joy in life.

My world has got smaller recently. I have slowed down with age and health ain't too good at the moment. I am quite surprised to find I like being at home more. I have stopped going to a weekly social group because I got bored with small talk.( Trump, Prince Harry etc). We met for a walk around a lake. Much happier just walking round the lake with my dog on my own and a weekly neighbourhood walk with a friend who also has a dog. We don't talk politics and she's not interested in the royal family! I like my monthly book group discussions and am looking forward to a new weekly art class. I agree with SpinDriftCoastal re time is of the essence and want to use my time more productively.

I am self sufficient and happy following my own interests, but I know that doing that is the start of a slippery slope.

Also, as I have also been fortunate in life I think it would be almost immoral of me to shut my eyes to the pain and trouble that other people are suffering and making sure I make some act of aid even if just donating money to help those in trouble. I will continue to watch the news and be knowledgeable about the world I live in. I am also quite gregarious. Last year we moved 70 miles from where we have lived most of our lives and after a year of house renovation I want meet mre people, build a new network.

I have signed up for the local history association, U3A and I volunteer at the local museum. I am really looking forward to this new part of my life.

I notice that when you see exceptionally old people how often they are natural glass half full people with a real curiosity in life. I want to be one of the.